Oshkosh Paraprofessionals Affiliate with WEAC

Paraprofessionals in the Oshkosh Area School District have voted to affiliate with WEAC.

The Oshkosh Paraprofessional Educational Association has 210 members. The association currently is independent.

It includes teaching assistants, interpreters, health assistants, certified occupational therapy assistants, English as a Second Language assistants, and impaired vision assistants.

Association President Kay Eccles, a teachers' assistant, said members felt they would have more "strength in unity" as a WEAC affiliate and could be more successful in bargaining.

"Also, we have grown so much over the years, we feel our people need more knowledge and need more training and with WEAC we can get that training. We also felt it was in the best interest of our members to move forward," she said.

The affiliation will be effective September 1, 1998.

Posted April 8, 1998