Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1380872
R E D L A N D S : Safety protections for ESPs Redlands Education Support Professionals Association negotiated a comprehensive agreement that includes additional safety protections based on students returning to in-person instruction, as well as stipends for a variety of job duties and an additional 80 hours of SB 95 COVID sick leave. V I C T O R VA L L E Y: Mobilizing for safe return Victor Valley Teachers Association members rose to defend themselves and their students when the school district fully reopened in a hybrid model in early April without a memorandum of understanding and without following CDC guidelines. Teachers were forced to return to campus for two days of preparation while the district failed to provide the necessary tech support and equipment. VV TA filed several grievances, Williams case complaints, and a Cal/ OSHA complaint on safety. The strong momentum generated by the VV TA organizing and grievance committees created pressure and assisted the negotiations committee in finalizing an MOU for the return to in-person instruction in a hybrid model. The agreement includes 11 hours paid at per diem rate for teacher preparation, and child care for members to work remotely during asynchronous time. At press time, VV TA is organizing for a vote of no confidence in the assistant superinten- dent of human resources. S O L E D A D : Stipend, prep time Soledad Teachers Association recently ratified their hybrid reopening memorandum of understanding. Highlights include six days of asynchronous time for educators to work in their classrooms to set up their learning environments and prepare lessons for the last few weeks of school; a $2,500 stipend for the additional work created by the hybrid model; and an additional $250 to spend on classroom supplies. STA leaders, site representatives and district administration will walk campuses to ensure all components of the MOU are being met. C U LV E R C I T Y: Union-building agreement Association of Classified Employees – Culver City reached an agreement addressing the return to campus, including four additional days of leave, a $500 stipend paid to each member, and all previously bargained safety guarantees. ACE also negotiated to add about 30 instructional assistants into the union who were previously paid by a parent group at an elementary school. The district is providing on-site COVID-19 testing and making vaccinations available to all employees and their families, and to students and their families. 36 cta.org Advocacy