Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1130365
Ba rga i n i n g Ro u n d u p Details of these stories at cta.org/bargainingupdates By Julian Peeples and Ed Sibby #OurVoiceAtTheTable New Haven: 14-Day Strike Wins Settlement For 14 days, the 585 courageous teachers of the New Haven Teachers Association (NHTA) in Union City and South Hayward were on strike for the schools their students deserve. The strike inspired a commu- nity movement and captured the attention of supporters nationwide. NHTA faced off against an intransigent superintendent and his managers, who walked out of negotiations numerous times, while the New Haven Unified school board refused to listen to reason. Ultimately, it was NHTA's unity and strong community support that built the power necessary to win a fair settlement. "It was the courage and determination of NHTA members on the picket lines and the thousands of supportive parents and community members that finally resulted in this agreement," says NHTA Presi- dent Joe Ku'e Angeles. The settlement includes a 3 percent raise for educators retro- active to Jan. 1, 2019, a 2.5 percent bonus, and a 1 percent raise starting July 1, 2019 (with an additional 1 percent contingent on pas- sage of school funding legislation). "This is just the first step in creating the public schools our stu- dents deserve," Angeles says. "We saw how much this community shares our values and supports its educators. That means the world to us and strengthens our resolve to make New Haven an even bet- ter school district as we move forward." Palm Springs: Teachers Win Agreement Educators in Palm Springs will be the highest-paid in the Coachella Valley after the Palm Springs Teachers Association (PSTA) reached a ten- tative agreement that will provide a 2.375 percent pay increase next year. This is in addition to a $495 increase to PSTA's benefits cap, which means that every member will pay less for health insurance next year. PSTA and the district came to tentative agreement in late May. At press time, the contract was expected to be ratified in early June. Tustin: Fair Settlement for Educators For the Tustin Educators Associa- tion (TEA), supporting students and programs brought their members a fair settlement. TEA won annual stipends for classroom materials and fair compensation (including pay for overnight outdoor education) for teacher-leaders serving as depart- ment chairs, athletic directors and work experience teachers. TEA also won a 1 percent on-schedule pay increase retroac- tive to July 2018 and an additional 2 percent off-schedule bonus, and educators were able to win more flexibility in the way they use their planning days. NHTA members finally reached an agreement with the district on June 7. Inset: NHTA President Joe Ku'e Angeles. 43 J U N E / J U L Y 2 019 A