ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Maintenance and custodial workers in Allentown School District overwhelmingly voted to join Teamsters Local Union #773 Thursday, dissolving their independent union of more than 20 years.
Of the 127 custodians and maintenance workers in ASD, 89 cast their votes. The results are as follows: 85 for joining the Teamsters; two for remaining in the Independent Maintenance and Custodial Association; and one for no union. One ballot was voided due to being filled out incorrectly.
“The members are happy,” John Page, ASD truck driver and president of the IMCA, said after the vote.
“It’s something we definitely wanted,” he added. “We finally came together for the better of our department.”
The IMCA recently reached out to the Teamsters to seek representation, hoping a larger, stronger union could help workers secure a better contract when the current one ends in June.
Thursday’s vote was the first official step in making that a reality.
What's next?
Now, there will be a two-week period before the election results are certified by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, allowing time for any objections from either the Teamsters or ASD, according to Brian Taylor, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters LU #773.
“I'm unbelievably proud of these people for standing up and standing together...to better their lives."Brian Taylor, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters LU #773
“I'm unbelievably proud of these people for standing up and standing together...to better their lives,” Taylor added.
Taylor said the Teamsters will reach out to ASD to set up bargaining dates and to request the necessary information to form a contract proposal for bargaining. Taylor previously said the Teamsters hope to begin contract negotiations as soon as possible.
The district said it hopes negotiations can begin later this month. Though ASD recommended its workers vote for no union, the district said in a Thursday statement it “recognizes and respects” the staff’s decision to organize under Teamsters, which is “well within their rights as a labor unit.”
“We have a strong history of collaboration with the former bargaining unit, and we anticipate continuing that partnership with the Teamsters as we begin the negotiations process,” the rest of the statement reads. “Our shared goal is to develop a new contract that balances the interests of all parties while supporting the essential services these employees provide to our learning community.”
The district had sent out letters to custodial and maintenance workers throughout December, recommending they vote for no union, in part to avoid monthly union dues.
IMCA members have been paying $30 in dues each month. Under the Teamsters, workers would pay 2.5 times their hourly rate each month. But dues won’t start until the Teamsters help the Allentown bargaining unit negotiate its next contract.
After the election results are certified, the Allentown workers will also choose members to serve on their contract negotiations team alongside Teamster representatives, and select interim shop stewards.
Hopes for higher pay
Shawn Ritter, an ASD grounds crew worker, said he wasn’t surprised by Thursday’s landslide victory for joining the Teamsters.
“All of us were happy and look forward to meeting with the Teamsters and starting contract negotiations,” he said.
“All of us were happy and look forward to meeting with the Teamsters and starting contract negotiations."Shawn Ritter, ASD grounds crew worker
Ritter and other workers previously said they feel their current wages are too low. They hope the Teamsters can help obtain higher pay in the new contract.
In the current five-year collective bargaining agreement, ASD custodial and maintenance workers had two years of pay freezes followed by a 15% raise and two subsequent 3% wage increases. There were no step increases.
As of 2024-25, ASD custodians start at an annual salary of $28,773.31. The highest-paid custodians earn $53,809 a year.
For this school year, the annual pay for ASD mechanics ranges from $41,362.85 to $58,022; the annual pay for ASD groundskeepers ranges from $34,003.60 to $51,812; and the annual pay for ASD truck drivers ranges from $32,434.63 to $50,250.
Taylor, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters, said earlier this week that these wages are “almost criminal,” and custodial and maintenance workers in other local districts are making significantly more than those in Allentown, he said.
What other districts pay
Teamsters LU #773 represent custodial and maintenance workers in five other Lehigh Valley districts: Bethlehem Area, Catasauqua Area, East Penn, Nazareth Area and Northampton Area.
As of 2024-25, Bethlehem Area custodians’ annual pay ranges from $57,179.20 to $68,910.40, according to information provided by Taylor. Maintenance workers’ annual pay ranges from $68,660.80 to $87,256.
In Catasauqua Area, custodians currently earn an annual salary of either $44,720 or $54,683.20 based on their classification, according to information provided by Taylor. Maintenance workers earn an annual salary of $50,960 or $71,468.80.
In East Penn, custodians earn $62,857.60 annually, and maintenance workers earn an annual salary of either $69,908.80 or $74,214.40 based on their classification, according to 2024-25 pay information provided by Taylor.
In Nazareth Area, custodians currently earn $54,641.60 annually, and maintenance workers earn an annual salary of $60,382.40 or $67,891.20 based on their classification.
In Northampton Area, custodians currently earn $62,961.60 annually, and maintenance workers earn $66,892.80 or $74,505.60 based on their classification, according to pay information provided by Taylor.
Like his colleagues, Manny Calderon, vice president of IMCA and an ASD carpenter, wants a new contract with higher wages that compete with the rates in these districts.
Calderon said Thursday he’s excited to see how things play out over the next few months as negotiations happen.
“I’m feeling positive,” Calderon said. “In my opinion, I think Teamsters [are] actually going to make a difference.”
