Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/556394
paid at a teacher's (higher) per diem rate for doing 16 hours of work with grade level or department colleagues over the course of the coming school year. Collaboration must be done in one of these areas: Professional Learning Commu- nities, informing instruction, working on common lessons or assessments, aligning Common Core standards to curriculum resources, sharing best practices, or improving student engagement, says Sherea Westra, president of 1,600-member association. "We are very excited that the work our members currently do together in collabo- ration for student success is being valued by the district," Westra says. "Creating time for teachers to work together to develop and grow as a team will only lead to greater strides in student achievement. The potential of what colleagues can do with this time is endless." Read the innovative collaboration contract language at fudta.org. In Los Angeles County, Certified Hourly Instructors at Long Beach City College won a grievance pro- viding a 2.7 percent salary increase retroactive to Nov. 1, 2014. The grievance alleged that LBCC failed to meet the "me too" requirement specified in a 2014 memorandum of understanding that linked part- time faculty percentage increase to that negotiated by full-time faculty. The 2014-15 Covina Unified Education Association contract increased all high school and mid- dle school athletic stipends and all elementary athletic and academic stipends by 20 percent retroactive to July 1. The 2015-16 contract al- locates up to 80 athletic/academic activity stipend positions. Unfair evaluations were removed from four members' personnel files, thanks to the Ontario-Mont- clair Teachers Association (San Bernardino County). The chapter filed a grievance for four members from the same work site, and it was settled at level 2. When Oakland Education Asso- ciation members and parents at Westlake Middle School (Alameda County) were told that a charter high school was to be colocated at their site, they took immediate action. Advocating to "move the adults, not the kids," OEA suc- cessfully rallied teachers, parents and the community to push the district to locate the charter else- where. In the same county, after the district declared an impasse in negotiations, the San Leandro Teachers Association settled for increased prep time, 5 percent sal- ary increase, and other benefits. WILLING TO STRIKE FOR STUDENTS A fight for additional preparation and instructional time for students took Desert Sands Teachers Association members in Palm Desert to the brink of a strike. Commu- nity organizing efforts and mass attendance at school board meetings helped achieve a tentative agreement in late July after nine months of bargaining. The two-year deal includes increased professional preparation time from 30 to 120 weekly minutes, 10 additional instructional minutes, two paid professional develop- ment days, improved health care, an 11.4 percent salary increase, and a 1.5 percent special education stipend. DSTA educators had been advocating for years for the prep and instructional time for students. "Don't offer me a raise and tell me I have to work more hours," DSTA member Patricia Schoenfeld told school board members. "I already work more hours. I'm doing my part. I want you to do your part and be fair." AROUND THE STATE 42 cta.org Advocacy