Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/994766
Rocklin: Supporting teachers supports students Parents and Rocklin Teachers Professional Association mem- bers say Rocklin Unified School District needs to get serious about students by providing a safe learning environment, giving teachers resources so all students, including those with special needs, can succeed, and offering competitive salaries. RUSD refuses to offer more than a 1 percent salary increase for Rocklin teachers, who are requesting 2.5 percent. Meanwhile, RUSD Superintendent Roger Stock received a generous salary increase this year and a 2.5 percent increase every year through 2021. "It's time to make teachers and our classrooms a priority," says RTPA President Colleen Crowe. " This district can afford our pro- posal. Supporting teachers supports students." Mediation efforts have failed, so a state-appointed mediator has certified the parties to fact-finding. If a settlement is not achieved, fact-finding will set the stage for a possible strike. " This can only have a negative impact on our classrooms, our students and our community," says Crowe. "Our students deserve better." Fremont: Educators get community support Community support is growing in the fight to halt teacher turnover as members of the Fremont Unified District Teachers Associ- ation (FUDTA) seek better pay in this high-cost East Bay region. Hundreds of educators packed the May 23 Fremont Unified school board meeting, and more than 3,500 people signed FUDTA's online petition to pressure the school board for meaningful salary increases at the bargaining table. The district is offering only a one-time bonus of 1.33 percent for this school year. To afford to live in the area, many teachers are leaving for nearby New Haven Unified School District in Union City, where a first-year, fully credentialed educator can make about $6,000 more annually than in Fremont. " The district's proposal is disrespectful to the educators who are building the future of Fremont," says FUDTA President Victoria Birbeck-Herrera. "A meaningful, ongoing salary increase is an investment our students, educators and community deserve." Turlock: Disrespect sinks agreement With an 82 percent no vote, Turlock teachers rejected a tentative agreement with the Turlock Unified School District in May. Citing distrust of school district administrators, Turlock Teachers Association mem- bers say they want a better deal that will provide both students and teachers the resources and opportuni- ties to succeed. Teachers say they are fed up with their district's disrespect and refusal to invest in educators, and the toxic working environment is making attracting and retaining teachers difficult. Issues that will need to be settled include paid leave for birthing mothers that matches what fathers and adoptive parents receive, professional salary that is not negated by increased health benefit costs, class size, and teachers' voice in professional development. "Our students and community deserve better," says TTA President Christine Rowell. "Our teachers deserve better." On June 6, after the district met with TTA for less than an hour, impasse was declared. Richmond: 17 percent increase over three years Building on raises won last year through union solidarity and mobilization, United Teachers of Richmond (UTR) members in the East Bay will receive 17 percent in raises over three years — from July 2017 to July 2020 — and other improvements in an agreement reached with the West Contra Costa Unified School District. " This was a team effort. It was tremendous to see how hard educators worked to make this happen," says UTR President Demetrio Gonzalez. " The district can now go out and recruit and retain the quality educators that our students deserve." The agreement was overwhelmingly ratified by UTR's 1,650 members in early June. It will help raise district salaries from the second-lowest in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to the second-highest, says Gonzalez. Students will benefit from the restoration of class size maximums that were lost 10 years ago for all classes. The union also negotiated paid collaboration time and a new paid parental leave benefit, and kept current health benefits, with the dis- trict continuing to pay 80 percent of Kaiser premiums. For details of the agreement, see unitedteachersofrichmond.com/bargaining. UTR educators out in force. Photo courtesy UTR. Turlock teachers stand firm. 44 cta.org Advocacy