3/10/2026 – Here’s a reminder that we have our JESS executive board elections coming up. This is the last week to nominate people to serve in these vital positions. If you know someone who has been a member in good standing for at least six months, and who you feel would do a good job in one of our open positions, please fill out the attached nomination form, with their consent, of course.
While I have your attention, a huge thank you to everyone who showed up and voted their conscience in our contract ratification process. Because of the strength and resilience of our membership, we had solid ground to stand on as a negotiation team to push for a reasonable contract. We literally could not have gotten here without you!
In solidarity,
Phil Buettel,
Vice President, JESS Local #6096
3/10/2026 – Greetings fellow JESS Members – the Contract has been Ratified by the Union Members who voted.
Next step is for the School Board to vote to finalize and enter into the budget (likely happening Thursday).
Thank you to EVERYONE! for your participation and help!
In Solidarity –
New Contract documents below. Still has strike through (will be fixed after vote). Missing increase to tuition reimbursement of $20,000 total a year, for JESS employees for related courses.
3/4/2026-Warm greetings on this snowy day,
Your JESS Negotiation team has reached a tentative agreement on a full contract with the Juneau School District (JSD). The contract will be available to review at two upcoming meetings (TBA) where we will provide information and answers for all Bargaining Unit Members. We will then have a final meeting where all active, dues-paying members will vote on ratification.
Some highlights of this agreement include:
- a $2/hr raise for all ranges in SY26 (this year)
- Full retroactive pay for all current Bargaining Unit Members to July 1, 2025 as well as any retirees since July 1
- a 3% increase in SY27 and SY28
- A one time $200,000 lump sum payment to the APEA-AFT Health and Welfare Trust (Health Trust) to be made upon ratification of the agreement
- A one-time payment of $22,500 to the Health Trust to retroactively cover the increase to JSD health insurance contributions from July – December 2025
- Monthly health insurance contributions from JSD to the Health Trust will increase to $1,724 for January – June 2026
- Monthly health insurance contributions from JSD to the Health Trust will increase to $1,744 in SY27 and to $1,764 in SY28
The JESS Negotiations team would like to thank you all for your support over the last fifteen months of negotiations. Because of your solidarity, we have been able to negotiate from a strong, unified position. We could not have done this without you! We look forward to meeting with you and presenting more information about the contract in the near future.
In Solidarity,
The JESS Negotiation Team
Hans Snyder
Phil Buettel
Leslie Antolick
Todd Speich
Maraiya League
*********Meetings – All Members Need to Attend***********
JESS Board Meeting 1/21/2026 – AT JD 5p.
JESS Negotiators will be meeting with JSD on Monday Jan 26th, 2026 in attempts to reach TA on Wages and Insurance.
JESS Board Meeting 2/18/2026 at DHMS Library 5pm
***April 18th, 2026 10am -JESS ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP and Election MEETING**Please attend!***
Positions Open this
********************************************************************
Cultural & Literacy Paraeducators SPED Paraeducators | Custodians | District Office Support | Finance & Payroll | Maintenance | Nurse and Health Assistants | Rally | School Administrative Support | Internet Technology
**Negotiation Process will be going forward – Negotiators will complete a Tentative Agreement with JSD/JESS. At the point where all the articles are TA’d – then the JESS membership would need to vote to approve or not – then the school district would need to vote to approve or not.**
JESS Board Meeting 11/19/2025 @ 5p at DH Library
If you are a member, come join us and see what your Union is doing for you!
Following meeting will be held on 11/19/2025 at DHMS Library
10/2025- JESS is still in Negotiations with JSD (Juneau School District) – Next Mediated Negotiation is set for 10/16/2025.
Union Representatives have met with the Juneau School District in Negotiations throughout the summer and into August and September. As negotiations became more complete both sides felt it might help to have a Mediator assist. First meeting with mediator was in September. Meetings with Mediator (and JESS/JSD) could be characterized as positive.
ONGOING – Please Update Membership Info in order to be included and updated with further information.
Portions of this site will be locked in the near future requiring login for Union Members. Please fill out the Update Member Info.
