Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1509126
BASSETT: Resources to attract and retain educators Bassett Teachers Association (BTA) members organized and won a contract the helps attract and retain quality educators. BTA won an agreement that will increase educator pay by 17 percent over three years and increase the healthcare contribution by Bassett Unified School District, based in Los Angeles County. BTA also won contract language improvements. GILROY: Impasse After Year of Unsuccessful Bargaining Gilroy Teachers Association (GTA) and Gilroy Unified management are at impasse after more than a year of difficult bargaining and a collaborative end not currently in sight. Gilroy teachers rallied in September to call on school board members to negotiate a fair and respectful contract around effective learning conditions, student and educator wellness and fair compensation. GTA members are among the lowest paid county- wide despite dealing with large class sizes that impact student learning conditions and having exces- sive outside-the-classroom duties. "With the district's significant reserves and funding from the state, there are enough resources to improve working conditions and pay us as the professionals we are through a salary increase that can allow us to live in the area we work, ensure every student has a dedicated, qualified educator in the classroom and provide adequate service to students without being pulled from our job duties because the district can- not retain its educators," said GTA President Caitlin Madolora. "We are tired of GUSD's de-prioritization of educators and the stress it puts on our students." At press time, GTA leaders were preparing to file for a fact-finding hearing. HARTNELL COLLEGE: Rallying for Fair Contract Educators at Hartnell College in Salinas are continu- ing their fight to attract and retain qualified part- and full-time faculty, with the college's compensation stuck at the bottom compared to community colleges in the region. Hartnell College Faculty Association (HCFA) members have been rallying and organizing to change the culture at the college and win fair pay, lab time for faculty chairs, healthcare benefits for part-time teachers and equitable class sizes. "Hartnell College management's refusal to put the money into instructional excellence has allowed teachers' salaries to fall close to last in the state," said Nancy Schur-Beymer, HCFA president. "If this board of trustees is serious about helping our students achieve their educational goals, then attracting and retaining quality teachers must be a priority." The Hartnell College Board of Trustees showed a major lack of respect for educator voices in June when trustees invoked a rarely used policy to silence faculty during a board meeting. HCFA is investigating whether the incident was a violation of open meet- ings laws. 48 cta.org Advocacy