How are employee salaries and benefits determined?
Collective bargaining agreements with each of the three employee unions determine salaries and benefits for MCPS employees. The three unions are: • Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) – teachers and other professionals • Service Employees International Union Local 500 (SEIU – supporting services employees • Montgomery County Association of Administrative and Supervisory Employees (MCAASP) – principals and other supervisors The Board of Education has the responsibility of negotiating with each of the unions that represents employees. The state of Maryland determines which issues can be bargained, which issues may not be bargained (such as curriculum), and which issues may be bargained if both sides agree. Most agreements are multi-year agreements, although some may be “reopened” annually for certain issues. Once an agreement is reached, the County Council must determine annually whether the agreements can be funded. Although usually it agrees to funding, the Council may deter
