Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1500904
EBCSS Media Conference in Concord in March. "We believe student success is everyone's success," says Valo- rie Luke, president of Antioch Education Association. "Setting aside differences is possible and it is what keeps our communi- ties thriving and working together for the greater good." Many coalition member locals have been able to win sig- nificant improvements in educator attraction and retention by increasing salary competitiveness and improving health benefits. ese include Antioch Education Association, Brent- wood Teachers Association, Dublin Teachers Association, San Leandro Teachers Association, San Ramon Valley Education Association, Association of Piedmont Teachers, Martinez Edu- cation Association, Benicia Teachers Association, John Swett Education Association and Orinda Teachers Association. Other locals have also been successful in making gains that will help districts attract and retain educators. "We want to make sure students, regardless of their ZIP code, have access to the best resources," says Celia Medina-Owens, Pittsburg Education Association bargaining chair. "When edu- cators stay in the community, they help improve the emotional and mental well-being of their students." e coalition also took time to celebrate school districts that are working as partners in successful student-centered collab- oration with educators – this year's winners of the first-ever Student Success Trailblazer Award are Antioch, Benicia, John Swett, Martinez, Moraga, Pittsburg and San Ramon Valley school districts. Finco presented the award to San Ramon Valley Uni- fied leaders during a school board meeting. "California students deserve the best and educators from every chapter in this coalition are committed to delivering it," Luke says. East Bay Coalition for Student Success Locals Antioch Education Association Association of Piedmont Teachers Association of Pleasanton Teachers Benicia Teachers Association Byron Education Association Brentwood Teacher Association Clayton Valley Classified Association Clayton Valley Education Association Contra Costa County Schools Education Association Dublin Teachers Association John Swett Education Association Lafayette Education Association Liberty Education Association Livermore Education Association Martinez Education Association Moraga Teachers Association Mt. Diablo Education Association Orinda Education Association Pittsburg Education Association San Ramon Valley Education Association The Coalition Pledge T O M A X I M I Z E the coalition's settlements for student success, member locals pledge full support to the following proposals at the bargaining table: • Salary: Minimum of statutory cost-of-living adjustment • Employer contribution to health, dental, vision and life benefits: Minimum of state average • Out of district service credit: Unlimited (no cap) with current members placed on schedule where they should be if no years were lost In addition, members pledge to: • Meet often • Keep coalition members informed of progress at the bargaining table • Share bargaining proposals with the coalition 33 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 3