NEA Today: Earlier this year, Arizona’s Phoenix Union Classified Employees Association negotiated with the school district for health and wellness coordinators specifically for staff. What prompted this request?
Vanessa Jimenez: Early on in the pandemic, we were calling our students to make sure they were OK and referring them to resources, if they needed them. And we realized, we don’t do anything like that for our staff. Our unions were in negotiations and asked what that would look like if we had social workers for staff. We were able to add three health and wellness positions dedicated to meeting our educators’ needs.
Did anything surprise you during the negotiation process?
VJ: Some of our members weren’t clear why we would need more than the employee assistance program (EAP) we already had. Typically, your EAP will help you find services and six free sessions. But if you are in need, those six sessions come and go pretty fast. And you may want someone to follow up with or check in with on a regular basis.
All we needed to point out was that we should support the people who need these services, rather than wait until our colleagues are in crisis. The school district came around pretty quickly.
The easy part was that our district leadership was on board. Usually at the mention of new positions we hear, there’s no money, what can we do? But our leadership was all in. They understood that if we’re going to emphasize the social-emotional needs of our students, we have to take into account the needs of our staff. That was an easy sell.
What has this change meant for staff?
VJ: It’s been huge for staff, knowing that they have this support team. In one instance, a particular staff member said, “I came to work today because I’m just in a funk and I can’t be at home.” We were able to refer that staff member for support. He’s meeting with our health and wellness person as well as using the EAP services.
How would you advise other locals about bargaining for mental health supports for educators?
VJ: Remind your districts, governing boards, and leadership teams that we’re only good for our students if we’re good for ourselves. This last year has told us that we’ve been missing the mark in terms of providing the mental health supports that the staff needs.
