Oregon School Employees Association Bargaining Session Update: August 19, 2014

August 19, 2014 OSEA Negotiations Update:

The meeting was held at Reynolds Middle School from 8:00 a.m. until 4:15 p.m.

Article 16 – Strike and Work Stoppages: OSEA presented a counter proposal which states that OSEA will not withhold its labor in any form during the life of the contract and in exchange, the District will not contract out district jobs as long as bargaining unit personnel can perform needed tasks.

The District then presented counter proposals for Articles 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 19, and 20, six of which were TA’d:

Article 5 - Paid Leaves of Absence: The District’s counter proposal continued to have language added requiring employees to provide copies of jury summons or subpoena; allowing leave to be taken in full shift or route increments which primarily applies to Transportation; ensuring attendance requests are approved in a timely fashion; allowing all three emergency days to be used in a Workers Comp situation and adding domestic partner to the list of immediate family members.  The District continued to strike the language regarding cost of sub because the District feels it just adds to excessive absenteeism.  OSEA did not provide a counter proposal.  However, following a caucus, OSEA indicated they are willing to accept all language in the District’s proposal except for the Cost of Sub Leave which they would like to continue to discuss.

Article 6 – Unpaid Leaves of Absence:  The only change in language allows for lengths of unpaid leaves of absence (up to one year) to be based on circumstances rather than being based on seniority as per current contract language.  TA’d.

Article 7 – Emergency Closure: The only change in language was to move the types of leave that can be used for emergencies to number 4 from number 5.  TA’d.

Article 11 - Work Time: The District’s proposal continues to delete the language regarding work day as the statute referenced no longer exists.  There was passion from OSEA about having a reference to the 8 hour work day due to its historic significance.  The District agreed to make reference to what a full-time equivalent is.  Language was added regarding having working calendars for the following year ready by the last student contact day each year and regarding employees who work for the District beyond the school year accruing and being eligible to use their sick leave during that time.  Following a caucus, the District presented a counter proposal that referenced the 1.0 FTE and committed to having work calendars ready by the last student contact day. An MOU was also added to form a subcommittee, following ratification, to address strategies to improve Educational Assistant collaboration within the group as well as with licensed staff.  Classified staff members serving on this committee shall either be provided substitute time or shall be paid to meet outside the work day via time card.  TA’d.

Article 12 – Association Rights:  The only change in language was to add the language from the MOU which clarifies and expands the language around the Union’s appropriate use of District equipment to communicate with its members.  TA’d.

Article 19 – Discipline, Dismissal, and Performance: Following a productive discussion about cultural differences and the desire to have the door open to the possibility of allowing other attendees at a meeting when mutually agreed upon, and the agreement to some additional language regarding misconduct and inadequate performance and some clarification language to separate the two and discern which tract should be taken for which infractions, the article was TA’d.

Article 20: Grievance Procedure /Contract Maintenance: This article also dealt with the question of representation.  The District added Representation to the definitions since it will be part of the entire process.  The District agreed to modify the language similar to Article 19.  TA’d

Articles that Remain Open (10 of 27):

• Article 2 – District Rights
• Article 4 – Fringe Benefits
• Article 5 – Leaves of Absence
• Article 8 – Salary
• Article 16 – Strike and Work Stoppage
• Article 21 – Transportation
• Article 24 – Job Openings
• Article 25 – Discrimination
• Article 26 – Early Retirement
• Article 27 – Administrative Accountability (New)

Next Steps:  The next negotiations sessions are scheduled for Thursday, September 11th at Woodland Library from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, September 30^th from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.