Your LTA Bargaining Team met June 20, 2012, with the district for the 5^th time in a session that lasted until well after 10pm.  The district began with a formal counterproposal to our package proposal from the previous week.  The rest of the day consisted of discussions about district finances, the protection of jobs and class sizes, and improving working conditions.  Discussion was healthy and productive in the areas of contractual language and possible salary concessions in 2012-2013, however the primary point of disagreement continues to be how to deal with the financial crisis that will occur if the governor’s tax initiative does not pass.  The Association firmly believes that the risks associated with the initiative failing in November should be shared by both the district and its employees.

In a last ditch effort to resolve the jobs issue before the end of the school year and avoid the turmoil of unnecessary layoffs and transfers, your team made a partial offer that included guaranteed salary concessions in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 in exchange for rescinding all layoffs and an obligation for both parties to continue bargaining over the summer on additional contract language and financial contingency language in case the tax initiative doesn’t pass.  It was a long shot that would require a great deal of “good faith” and trust on the part of both parties, as neither side felt they had what they needed at that point.  The district accepted.

So here is where we are at.  As it currently stands, the negotiations are split into two parts.  “Part 1” creates a Tentative Agreement on the issues where the Association and the district have reached consensus:

• All permanent and probationary teachers who were laid off will be rehired;
• 8 furlough days and a 3% salary reduction in 2012-2013, with ½% returned to teachers on December 1^, 2012 if the governor’s tax initiative passes;
• 5 furlough days in 2013-2014;
• Teachers with at least 10 years in the district whose previous evaluation was “satisfactory” may be evaluated every 3 years instead of the current every 2 years [permanent contract language];
• Parties will continue negotiations on additional contract language and financial contingency language in case the governor’s tax initiative doesn’t pass on Thursday, June 28, 2012.

“Part 2” deals with issues where progress has been made, but neither side felt accord could be reached in time to prevent at least the initial effects of layoffs from taking place (i.e., without folks ending the school year not knowing if they have jobs next year or not).  These issues include:

• Contingency language for potential additional financial concessions if the governor’s tax initiative fails;
• Limits on meeting time outside of the workday and guarantees of teacher discretion time;
• Limits on adjunct duties;
• Caseload limits for special education;
• 12-month pay cycle.

link to full text of all proposals and counterproposals

link directly to the Tentative Agreement, Part 1

link directly to the Tentative Agreement, Part 1 – Contract Language

Again, the Bargaining Team feels we are close to resolution on the “Part 2” issues.  However, given the priority expressed by the membership of saving jobs and maintaining CSR and QEIA class sizes, we felt it was necessary to achieve that objective before the end of the school year if we could do so without yielding our bargaining position or giving unnecessary ground on other important issues.

Please plan on attending a general meeting to hear a report from the Bargaining Team, including Jeff Good (CTA staff person), and to ask questions.  Thank you again for your continued patience, participation and support.

General Meeting:  Friday, June 22, 2012 at 3:30 in LMS cafeteria