photo by: Shawn Valverde

The Lawrence Community Shelter, 3655 E. 25th St., is pictured on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.

Story updated at 8:19 p.m. Thursday, April 25:

The Lawrence Community Shelter Board of Directors on Thursday approved a collective bargaining agreement for a group of unionized shelter workers that, in part, would raise all employees’ pay to at least $20 an hour.

As the Journal-World has reported, workers at LCS formed a labor union in October 2023, joining the union that represents hourly school staff in the Lawrence school district, CWA Local 6400. Two months later, they announced bargaining demands including that they be paid $30 an hour, among other improvements to employee benefits.

The board met in executive session for more than an hour on Thursday before returning to unanimously approve the union contract, with board Vice President Shannon Oury and board member John Krehbiel absent.

“Tonight signifies a significant moment in the history of our community shelter,” union member Bella Kurtz told board members ahead of the vote. “As we gather, we reflect on the journey that has led us here — a journey marked by unity, empowerment and advocacy.”

While the raises reflected in the contract start at a lower rate than what staff initially was seeking, they do reflect a roughly $3 or $4 pay bump compared to the current hourly rates for day and evening staff, $16.25, and overnight staff, $17.25. Members of the union have previously expressed frustration that their pay is less than the $25-per-hour rates earned by City of Lawrence employees who staffed Camp New Beginnings, the city-sanctioned support site for people experiencing homelessness that was previously located behind Johnny’s Tavern in North Lawrence and is now closed.

Kurtz said along with the increased pay, the contract also includes paid family and medical leave and parental leave, flexible holidays to accommodate diverse traditions, a combined paid time-off pool and employer contributions to the shelter’s retirement fund.

“Beyond these tangible benefits, let us not overlook the profound impact this agreement will have on LCS services,” Kurtz said. “It will improve staff retention, strengthen our relationships with those we serve and provide consistent support to individuals experiencing homelessness.”

Board President Charlie Bryan said that he appreciated the collaboration between the board and LCS staff to arrive at a contract, and LCS Executive Director James Chiselom later added that the negotiations were a “good experience” for shelter leadership to better understand its staff’s needs.

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In other business, the board heard from Juniper Gapetz, the community manager at The Village. Gapetz previously worked with Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center’s Homeless Outreach Team and on the city’s staff at Camp New Beginnings.

Gapetz told board members that as of Thursday, 49 of the 50 Pallet cabins at The Village, 256 N. Michigan St., were filled with residents — with a long wait list behind them — and some of the individuals living there have already made progress with securing more permanent housing.

“(I’m) very happy overall with how things are going over at The Village,” Gapetz said. “There are definitely bumps, but because we’re just now opening … we have things to work out.”