In an unwelcome turn of events, Portland Public Schools (PPS) has found itself amidst a payback predicament as it demands nearly 250 of its custodians return portions of their wages over an overpayment debacle. According to KOIN, these workers received additional funds erroneously for work during a January ice storm that shuttered schools but required maintenance checks and cleanup.
The overpayment, branded as such by PPS, occurred when schools were out of action due to inclement weather. Custodians like McVicker, who "had to come to work," found themselves compensated not only for their efforts but also for braving the elements. Now, they're being asked to cough up anywhere from $90 to $500—the latter figure disclosed by SEIU union members—despite initial confusion pertaining to their paychecks. "We had a paystub that was very vague. It didn't give us anything, none of our hours, how we were getting paid," McVicker recounted in a KGW interview.
To compound the matter, custodians report that the district has yet to clarify the crux of their payment calculations, sparking discontent and distrust. The January turnovers were further complicated by ongoing contract negotiations, leaving workers without an active agreement covering inclement weather pay during the storm. "That's really extremely hard for people who live paycheck to paycheck," added McVicker, delineating the practical impact of the district's demand for reimbursement.
The mood among the impacted staff is souring, with frustration simmering over the prospect of relinquishing hard-earned dollars due an administrative error. "We're all just pissed off, that, 'wow, we got to pay back for their mistake, for their error,'" Jim D’Arcy, a custodian, expressed in dismay. The ripple effect is a specter of reluctance looming over future weather emergencies—a sentiment that D'Arcy encapsulated when he pondered, "What happens the next time there's a snowstorm? How many of us do you think are going to want to go into our buildings?"
PPS, for its part, has admitted the oversight and empathized with the stress it has imposed on its employees. The district stated that they regret the error and understand the overpayment inadvertently created stress on employees, promising to work towards a fair resolution. However, as the workers await clearer calculations and assurances against future fiscal fumbles, the question remains whether the district can mend the crack in workers' trust it has unceremoniously chiseled.
