Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/358877
Advocacy UESF teachers, paraprofessionals support their union in heated contract talks These United Educators of San Francisco members are standing behind their union, which is locked in heated contract talks with the San Francisco Unified School District. After sacrificing $60 million during the recession to stop layoffs and keep class sizes small, teachers and paraprofessionals in San Francisco find themselves rapidly getting priced out of the city they love, and without strong action by the district, too many educators will be forced to leave the city and the district. In addition to salary, important issues at the table include smaller class sizes, prep time for elementary school teachers, and additional compensation for paraprofessionals. Last month the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) granted SFUSD's request for impasse in the contract negotiations. PERB has appointed a mediator to work with both parties this summer. Contrary to reports from the school district, there had been sig- nificant progress in many areas of contract negotiations leading up to impasse, including UESF movement on six different proposals the day that the district walked away from the table. Unfortunately, the granting of impasse has taken both parties away from the table for several weeks, leaving UESF no choice but to consider the first of two strike votes at the Aug. 14 General Membership meeting. UESF filed a crisis application grant with CTA to help bring additional resources and support to the union as they prepare for their strike vote. Case management caseloads, collaboration time are wins for Santa Ana special ed teachers Enhanced teaching and working conditions were gained for spe- cial education teachers represented by the Santa Ana Educators' Association, who had mostly been relying on Education Code language requirements until now. The bargaining team negotiated the following improvements: Case management periods for secondary special education teachers in addition to their prep period. Case management release days for elementary special educa- tion teachers (six per year). Defined case management periods. Better language regarding special education caseloads, class size and the impact on general education classes (equalization). In-service opportunities for general education and special education members. Early release Wednesdays may be used for special education collaboration. The chapter also won a 4 percent salary increase for members retroactive to January 2014 for 2013-14, and another 2 percent that kicked in on July 1, 2014, for 2014-15. King City educators get a great settlement Members of the King City Union Elementary School Teachers Association in Monterey County negotiated a strong contract just before school let out in June — raises of 17 percent over four years, fully paid family health coverage, and the binding arbitra- tion of grievances. The four-year contract settlement came after chapter President Helen Barge pointed out at a King City Union School District board meeting what colleagues in neighboring districts were get- ting in compensation. The raises start with 2 percent in the 2013-14 school year, and 5 percent in each of the next three years through 2016-17. The final contract was far more ample than the district's opening offer of only a 1 percent pay hike and nothing else. Educators OK strike option in Chula Vista Benefits, class sizes and salaries are some of the main sticking points that prompted Chula Vista Educators members to vote overwhelmingly to authorize their executive board to call a strike, if necessary. "I am so proud of the way that you have come together," CVE President Manuel Yvellez said of the June vote. "We are together, and we are resolved." Members picketed in a show of solidarity outside the school district offices June 23 as a state mediator met inside in an attempt to resolve the bargaining impasse. The next mediation session is set for Aug. 5. UESF members show solidarity and support for their bargaining team. Photo by Matthew Hardy. 31 V O L U M E 1 9 I S S U E 1