Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/2788
duction in force notices for our members, and that they took the proposal to cut our salaries off the table, but these were contract takebacks and we have no confidence in Su perintendent Gándara's will ingness or ability to bargain with us in good faith," said Lu cero. "The district yielded to SEA pressure to do what's right. His budget priorities, as articulated in the district's bargaining proposals, demon strate a complete lack of un derstanding of the needs and priorities of students, parents and the community of SUHSD." "District spokesperson Lil lian Leopold complains that the unions want to main tain statusquo contracts in the midst of a difficult econo my," said CSEA Chapter 471 President Stephanie Napier, "but what the district's bar gaining team fails to recog nize is that our contracts' passthrough language states that if the district receives any monies from the state, then BELOW: A reporter captures Sweetwater Education Association members as they gather for the protest. the dollars pass through to all employees' wages and bene fits. If no monies come down from the state, then no money is given to employees, the dis trict gets nothing, we get nothing — very simple. In stead, the district wants to break our passthrough con tract language, so that in the future when things are better and the COLA comes from the state it would require all bargaining units to negotiate any monies for employees of the district. District employ ees understand this is a very tough economy and are not asking for anything at all oth er than to maintain current language. With our current language, neither side has anything to lose or gain at this point." Lucero said that the SUHSD Board is slated to review Gán dara's job performance soon, but that the efforts of SEA and of its education employee union colleagues will be di rected toward persuading the board to initiate the search for a new district superintendent instead. "We definitely need a new leader as we face the chal lenges ahead," said Lucero. Bill Guy Teaching outside the lesson plan. Grace had asked her teacher 100 times to tie her shoes. It wasn't until the 101st time that she realized Grace didn't care as much about her laces as she did about someone taking time for her. That's the priceless gift of personal attention an educator can give. APU offers: • 36 credential/master's opportunities. • NCATE-accredited programs recognized by all 50 states and internationally. • A degree completion program in human development (HDEV) designed for future teachers. Become a better teacher, counselor, coach, or administrator. (800) TALK-APU Click www.apu.edu/education/tips Email CTA photo by Bill Guy Call graduatecenter@apu.edu Higher Education for Greater Works AZUSA | HIGH DESERT | INLAND EMPIRE | LOS ANGELES | MURRIETA ORANGE COUNTY | SAN DIEGO | VENTURA | ONLINE june 22-40 June.09.indd 29 2009 | www.cta.org 29 6/4/09 2:01:32 PM