Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/755919
Bargaining Roundup Details of these stories at cta.org/bargainingupdates Perris in Mediation Perris Elementary Teachers Association (PETA) is at impasse with Perris Elementary School Board (PESD), Riverside County, and held its first mediation session in early November. While the teacher short- age intensifies, PESD continues to offer substandard pay that makes hiring the next generation of edu- cators for the community difficult. PESD continues to deny retroactive pay and has asked for any raise to be contingent on adding three more days to the school calendar. At board meetings and a mediation session, PETA has rallied with parents and students who support a competitive contract that prevents Perris from losing its great teachers to better pay and benefits elsewhere. Selma Settles On Nov. 9, the Selma Unified Teachers Association reached tentative agreement with Selma Unified School District, Fresno County. In addition to adding language about notifying staff when safety concerns arise and placing written timelines on abating job hazards, SUTA inserted written procedures for site and district problem resolution. Educators will receive a 3 percent increase on all cells and a 1.15 percent increase per step at steps 16, 17 and 18. Educators will also receive the difference between the $14,000 ben- efits cap and the cost of the plan they chose, if any. During negotiations, SUTA members wore buttons, attended board meetings, and posted on social media in support of chapter strength and solidarity. Their posts included an uplifting video, which you can see at youtu.be/eetwzC56VE0. 44 cta.org advocacy SUTA members show their spirit in a chapter video. Rally by PETA members, parents and students at a mediation session.