(Chula Vista, CA) -- MAAC Project employees, who are represented by SEIU Local 221, today filed a grievance against their employer for creating a two-tier wage scale that pays new employees significantly more than long-time MAAC employees.

The wage disparity issue began when the MAAC Project took over the Head Start services of the Community Development Institute (CDI) and offered positions at the MAAC Project to CDI employees. The former CDI employees were offered wages that were higher than existing MAAC employees with comparable education and experience thereby creating a two-tiered wage system.

“I feel that creating a two-tier pay system within the unionized employees at MAAC will hurt the existing employees because we now will be treated as second-class citizens, yet we have been the pillars of this agency,” said Adela Martinez, President of the MAAC Chapter.

“During the recent merger, MAAC has been using the term ‘we’ when referring to past employees and new employees, yet having a two-tier pay system is not a fair representation of that term,” said Liliana Camarena, Vice President of the MAAC Chapter.

The remedy to the wage disparity outlined in the grievance is that all MAAC Project employees receive equitable pay. After the filing of the grievance, MAAC management must meet with the employees and try to reach an agreement. If an agreement cannot be reached, the matter will be sent to binding arbitration.

“MAAC Project management's two-tiered wage system causes division among employees,” said Eric Banks, President of SEIU Local 221. “All we ask is that MAAC Project uses a fair system for compensation."

The MAAC Project provides a wide array of important services to our community: Early childhood education through a large Head Start program; weatherization for low-income households; DUI counseling; and a charter high school.  Without MAAC employees, some of the neediest members of our community would not be served.

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