Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1497353
GLENDALE: Unity powers victory, no strings attached Glendale Teachers Association (GTA) members showed solidarity and won a hard-fought agreement in late February that will improve the district's ability to attract and retain quality educators. GTA won a 4.5 percent one-time payment for 2020-21, as well as a 3.5 percent on-schedule raise effective July 1, 2021, and 5 percent on-schedule raise effective July 1, 2022. GTA also won contract language improvements, including smaller class sizes in TK , improved working conditions, and increased stipends and special salaries. GTA members are now ready to begin negotiations for 2022-23. RICHMOND: Building a movement for parent and community voice After a difficult 12 months of negotiations, United Teachers of Richmond (UTR) reached a tentative agreement in February that prioritizes safety and increases educator pay, and includes one of the first guaranteed, comprehensive community schools structures in the union contract of a CTA local. The agreement includes community schools shared deci- sion-making through at least 2027 (see story on Page 35), a 14.5-percent pay increase by July 1 of this year, and the main- tenance of maximum class sizes. The victory came after a historic 97.3-percent strike authorization vote and more than 1,500 members rising in solidarity to fight for their students and each other. " This was only possible through the incredible organizing efforts that our union demonstrated this year. New leaders have emerged and stepped up, giving up their nights and weekends," said UTR President John Zabala. "It has been an honor to meet and work with our zone captains, our organiz- ing team, and our picket captains. We owe them so much." Highlights include: Physically and emotionally safe schools • MERV-13 or HEPA filters in all workspaces. • Procedures for educators to document safety concerns. • Provide educators with trauma-informed, de-escalation strategies. • Maintenance of class size caps and class size from 2021-2022 extension contract. Permanent, certificated educators in every classroom • Salary increase of a combined 14.5 percent by July 1. • Removal of service credits caps for new employees starting from July 1, 2022. • Contractual language for preschool educators for the first time. 43 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 3