Invest in Staff- Invest in Students

Campaign History

It started in the classroom. One morning, as Ms.Keeny prepared her lesson, she glanced around at her colleagues. Together, they had just helped calm a student in crisis, bringing patience and teamwork when it mattered most. In that moment, it was clear: lasting change required standing together beyond any one day.

In July 2024, 74% of staff at the Neil Hellman School, part of the Northern Rivers Family of Services, voted to form the Neil Hellman Staff Union (NHSU). Over the past year and eight months, these committed educators, caregivers, and support staff have been striving to secure a fair first contract, one that upholds their devotion to the children and families they serve. Their top five issues for organizing were:

• Guarantee safe learning environments by ensuring every classroom has at least two trained aides to support both students and staff.
• Gain the legal guarantee of a voice, advocate, and active participation in decision-making procedures that affect our work.
• Negotiate a legally binding contract with consistent, fair guidelines that will serve both to retain and recruit qualified and experienced teachers and staff.
• Compensation commensurate with experience, longevity, and education. 
• Affordable and thorough healthcare