Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1543424
IMPERIAL BEACH: Strike vote approval leads to contract agreement After more than 20 months of bargaining and an almost 20-hour fact-finding hearing, Southwest Teachers Association (SW TA) reached an agree- ment with South Bay Union School District that invests today 's dollars in today 's students and lays a foundation for the safe and stable schools our students deserve. SWTA members won a 2% on-schedule increase and a 2% off-schedule payment for 2024-25 ret- roactive to July 2024, a 2% on-schedule increase for 2025-26 retroactive to July 2025, increases to the health benefits cap and a restructured salary schedule for speech language pathologists, school psychologists and school nurses. During the lengthy bargain, SWTA organized educators and the community, building a powerful movement for the schools all South Bay students deserve. " This agreement is more than just a contract; it is a testament to the power of our collective voice," SWTA leaders said. CALBRIGHT: Part-time faculty file intent to join union In mid-December, the united part-time faculty at Calbright College went public with their intent to unionize and join the Calbright Faculty Association (CFA) to fight for job stability, fair working conditions, equitable pay and benefits, meaningful inclusion in decision-making processes, and professional growth opportunities. About 80% of part-time faculty submitted commitment cards to join the union, adding their names to their organizing committee's letter asserting their right to unionize and expressing their INGLEWOOD: Environmental educators organize for first contract Educators from four Los Angeles-area charter schools are organizing and rallying to win their first-ever contract in what has been a very lengthy fight. The 135 members of Environmental Educators United (EEU) – educators at all four Environmental Charter Schools (ECS) in the South Bay – are demanding charter management settle a fair and enforceable first contract. After 19 bargaining sessions and mediation spanning over two years, the process has reached a critical impasse. Following the completion of state-mediated fact-finding, two final articles remain: compen- sation and grievances, including binding arbitration. "A contract is only as good as its enforcement," said Fabian Ponciano, ECS alum, veteran teacher and EEU Secretary. "By resisting binding arbitration, the board is asking the commu- nity to rely on voluntary self-accountability. Our educators are standing together because we know that fair and stable working conditions are the foundation of a healthy learning environment for our students." Educators are concerned that the school board's continued silence on the bargain signals an intent to unilaterally impose contract terms – a move that could lead to a work stoppage, pending an official strike vote. "We are here to demand that the board stop hiding behind their legal counsel and start trusting the professionals who keep their schools running. You cannot claim to value student success while denying the experts in the classroom their voice and rights," said EEU President Lauren Pell. "Our students and communities deserve a resolution that protects and nurtures the high-quality education ECS is known for." 44 cta.org Advocacy