Now It’s Time to Ratify!

After months of determination, unity, and action, Palm Beach County School District workers have secured a one-year contract with real raises — now it’s time to vote YES and make it official!

After months of bargaining, solidarity, and speaking up for what we deserve, SEIU/FPSU members in the Regular, Paraprofessional/ECP, and Supervisory units have reached a tentative one-year agreement that delivers real gains for workers.

This is a HARD-FIGHT WIN — the result of countless conversations, rallies, and actions by workers who refused to settle for less. But the work isn’t done yet. We need every single member to come out, vote “YES,” and help us lock in this victory.

Highlights of the Tentative Agreement

• $1/hour increase or 4% raise — whichever is greater

• Covers all three units: Regular, Paraprofessional/ECP, and Supervisory

• One-year agreement: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025

• A stronger position heading into next year’s bargaining — keeping all units united

Here is How this WIN Happened

1. We Surveyed our Workers

FPSU surveyed the workers in the school district collected their stories and shared with the School Board and News Media. See the full report here: Hidden Crisis in Palm Beach County Schools

1. We Showed Up 

Hundreds of school support staff—bus drivers, custodians, paraprofessionals, food service workers—wore black and also attended the protest rally at the School Board meeting. We rallied outside the District headquarters on April 23rd. We made it clear: poverty wages and rising health insurance costs are unacceptable.

See the details and the media coverage: School Protest

and here: Protest Update

2. We Brought the Truth to the School Board

At the School Board meeting, our union president, Alphonso Mayfield, delivered a powerful speech calling out poverty wages, the harm caused by the “Me Too” clause, and the District’s failure to prioritize its lowest-paid workers.
Watch Alphonso’s full statement here (start at 1:57): YouTube Video

3. We Bargained Relentlessly

We didn’t back down. From the health insurance impasse to multiple rounds of bargaining, we pushed for real raises and fought back against lowball offers. 
Watch one of the bargaining session here: [Link to Bargaining Video] 

4. We Won Because We Stood Together

Our collective action—on the job, in the streets, and at the bargaining table—forced the District to listen. We built community power, raised our voices, and showed them that when SEIU FPSU members fight, we win.

Why This Win Matters

This deal didn’t just land on the table.
It came from workers standing together — from transportation yards to classrooms to cafeterias — demanding respect and fair pay. We pushed back on delays, we rallied when the district said “there’s no money,” and we showed them that when workers unite, we win.

Now, we must ratify the agreement with a powerful “YES” vote. And if you’re not yet a member — this is the moment to join. Every member strengthens our voice and our ability to win the next fight.

We will send the full Ratification Schedule Tomorrow Stay Tuned