California Educator

March 2016

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A N A H E I M E D U C ATO R S P R OV E PA R T I C I PAT I O N I S P OW E R During anksgiving week 2015, the Anaheim Elementary Education Association (AEEA) carried out a "Black Friday" bargaining support action, asking each member to dress in black and gather for a site photo in a public place on cam- pus. Over 90 percent of members at 24 sites participated, sending a powerful message of unity that would lead to the February settlement. AEEA used the photos to create posters presented to the Anaheim City School District at a subsequent school board meeting. After 13 rounds of negotiations, AEEA has settled for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years. Highlights: crediting years of service outside the district, extending a retirement incentive to veteran members, and a 4 percent salary increase retroactive to July 2015. S A N R A M O N E D U C ATO R S R E AC H S E T T L E M E N T San Ramon Valley Education Association (SRVEA) mem- bers voted overwhelmingly in February to approve raises in an agreement that will help San Ramon Valley Unified School District recruit and retain teachers in this East Bay district's high-cost living area. e agreement was reached Feb. 4 after mobilizing by 500 SRVEA members in numerous organizing activities that cul- minated Jan. 26 with a rally in front of the district office and attendance at a packed school board meeting. e deal includes a 5 percent raise on the salary schedule and a one-time bonus of 4 percent, retroactive to the start of the school year. Only salaries were negotiated; bargaining resumes on other issues in April. SRVEA President Ann Katzburg praises the solidarity of educators during negotiations and says the salary res- toration is key to easing impacts of the Bay Area's teacher shortage. "Investing in our educators is investing in the future of our community. Now our district is better equipped to deal with the teacher shortage by offering salaries that can lead to more recruiting and retention of teachers." CO M M U N I T Y O R G A N I Z I N G PAYS O F F I N H U N T I N GTO N B E AC H Community organizing efforts by the Hun- t i n g t o n B e a c h E l e m e n t a r y Te a c h e r s Association ( H B E TA ) l e d t o o n e o f t h e stron ge st ch apt er settl em ent s in S outh- ern California . e 250-member HBETA built significant parent and com- munity support last year when it organized a community "Put a Lid on It" rally to demand changes at a local open-air dump. Residents wanted a protective enclosure and venti- lation. Seagulls and other scavenger birds attracted to the dump were also creating unsanitary conditions in nearby schools and neighborhoods. Teachers, students, community leaders and local politicians came to speak at the event, and it received strong local press coverage. HBETA used that support to reach a three-year settle- ment with Huntington Beach City School District. Salaries will increase by 8.6 percent, retroactive to July 1, 2015. e district will also maintain member health and welfare benefits for the length of the contract, and extend retiree benefits. Reopeners on the contract are provided to both sides in 2017. Anaheim Elementary Education Association's bargaining team, from left to right: Jennifer Hiromoto, Faith Daverin (co-chair), Dennis Haessly (co-chair), Lisa Eck (Anaheim Educators UniServ), and Monica Montoya-Robles. Huntington Beach Elementary Teachers Association bargaining team, from left to right: Janelle Axton, Joy Forgiarini, Nicolle Monaghan, Mala Campbell (negotiations chair), Sara Adams, and Don Gray. 37 March 2016

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