Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1470295
SEA's hardworking bargaining team. SWEETWATER: Collaboration Key to Successful Settlement Members of the Sweetwater Education Association (SEA) bargaining team worked into the night on a settlement that was achieved through mutu al respect and relationships built during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over that time, SEA and Sweetwater Union High School District (SHUSD) have worked consistently through challenges to ensure a safe return to in-person instruction. Those collaborative relationships proved crucial in a settlement that "will be especially important as we face a future with declining enrollment and no guarantees regarding state and federal funding," SEA President Julie Walker said. Sweetwater educators won a more than 6 percent on-schedule pay increase over the next two years, along with a 4 per- cent o•-schedule bonus and a $1,000 increase to their health benefits. Walker was pleased that concerns brought to the table were heard and addressed during this bargain cycle. "We are committed to work with leadership to have the best working conditions in our district and to make Sweetwater 'the place' to work in San Diego County because good working conditions and satisfied teachers and sta• create the best conditions for our students," she said. LOS ANGELES: Alliance Educators Strike After Management Refuses to Bargain Educators at four Alliance College-Ready charter schools in Los Angeles went on a one-day Unfair Labor Practice strike in April in response to the Alliance Board of Directors refusing to bargain for more than three years, despite multiple orders by the state to do so. Picket lines were packed with educators, families and community supporters at Alliance Burton Tech, Alliance Gertz-Merkin, Alliance Leichtman Levine Family Foundation ESAT, and Alliance Morgan McK- inzie High School. A supermajority of educators at these schools voted to unionize with United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) as Alliance Educators United more than three years ago. Yet Alliance management has refused to recognize the union. "We have spent four years attempting to have our voices heard," said Michael Miller, an Alliance history teacher. "Meanwhile, Alliance has spent four years ignoring teachers, students and court orders." The Alliance Educators United movement is made up of teachers, counselors, psychologists and other credentialed professionals in the Alliance Col- lege-Ready Public Schools. They are fighting for the resources and services their students need, smaller class sizes, teacher and counselor recruitment, edu- cator voice in decision-making and a union contract, so students will no longer have to wonder if their teachers will be back next year. "Our schools need to rebuild our teams every year, and all of our teachers are burned out," said Alliance teacher Tony To. "It is heartbreaking when a student comes up to you and says, 'are you coming back next year?' Alliance, you leave us no choice but to strike." Learn more about Alliance Educators United and send a letter of support calling on Alliance to bargain with educators by visiting allianceeducators.com. 36 cta.org Advocacy