Winthrop School Committee unanimously ratifies three-year custodial union contract

WINTHROP — September 22, 2025 — Winthrop School Committee approves three-year custodial contract with SEIU Local 888. The committee voted 7-0 at its September 22 meeting to ratify a memorandum of understanding covering the district's junior and senior custodians for the 2025-26 through 2027-28 school years. Key provisions include a 3 percent annual wage increase across all steps, a one-time market adjustment for senior custodians in the current school year, longevity step additions and increases of $100 per step through fiscal 2028, a bump in the minimum compensated time for routine building inspections from two to three hours, and a formalized $450 annual stipend for senior custodians serving as heavy equipment operators, capped at three employees. The committee also approved two spending warrants totaling $1,455,100.93 and voted to enter executive session on collective bargaining matters. The superintendent noted the custodial deal is one of seven union contracts under negotiation this year, all expected to stay within the scope of a recently approved community budget override.