Reynolds Education Association Bargaining Session Update: September 3, 2014

September 3, 2014 REA Negotiations Update:

The meeting was held at Woodland Library from 4:00 p.m. until 7:15 p.m.

The District presented counter proposals for Articles 22 and 23:

Article 22 – Employee Compensation: An additional step shall be added to each column on the schedule at the same percentage increase as between the current top step and the step directly preceding it.  Members who were on the top step of a column during 2013-2014 or who were hired at the top step for 2014-2015 with more than the equivalent years of experience shall advance to the new top step.

In addition, effective July 1, 2014, base salary shall increase by 1.5%; July 1, 2015, base salary shall increase by 1%; July 1, 2016, base salary shall increase by 1%.

This represents $11.8 million total cost over the life of the contract.

Article 23 - Fringe Benefits: The District’s contribution toward fringe benefits shall increase by $25 per month each year as follows:

Effective October 1, 2014 increase from current $1,100 per month to $1,125 per month

Effective October 1, 2015 increase from $1,125 to $1,150 per month

Effective October 1, 2016 increase from $1,150 to $1,175 per month

This represents $1.125 million total cost over the life of the contract.

Bruce McCain, RSD School Board Chair clarified with the group that the Board cares only about the size of the pie and does not particularly care how the pie is sliced.

Following a caucus there were some questions from REA regarding what numbers were used to arrive at the District’s totals because the numbers did not match what REA has been working with.  It was confirmed that the District is using the same scattergram that was provided to REA at the start of bargaining and that associated payroll costs are being calculated at 31% (REA had been using 29%).  REA indicated the total cost of their proposal had been $11.8 million and they were trying to discern where the discrepancies in calculations might be.

REA feels that the insurance increases being offered are still relatively low and not competitive with surrounding districts.  REA agreed to review the information and to let us know if they have questions before preparing a counter proposal.

Article 25 – Reduction in Force: The District indicated that it is not looking to make substantive changes to this article.  The discussion primarily centered around the need to sometimes keep probationary teachers rather than contract teachers and the example of bilingual education programs was provided.  In order to sustain these programs, once established, it may be necessary in a layoff situation to keep less senior staff.  Concerns were expressed that there have been situations in the past where efforts were made to retain less senior staff when there were more senior staff who were capable of taking the positions.

Article 26 – Student Services: It was agreed that Bruce Nasser Marsh and Brenda Martinek would meet away from the table to work on some language for this article that would be agreeable to all parties.

No articles were TA’d.

Eleven articles still remain open:

• Article 5 – Employee Rights
• Article 7 – Employee Work Year
• Article 9 – Teaching Hours
• Article 14 – Paid Leaves of Absence
• Article 18 – Student Discipline
• Article 22 – Employee Compensation
• Article 23 – Fringe Benefits
• Article 25 – Reduction in Force
• Article 26 – Student Services
• Article 27 – Workload
• Article 31 – Duration of Agreement

The next sessions were scheduled as follows:

• Wednesday, September 17^th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the OEA office
• Thursday, October 9^th (rescheduled from October 15^th) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the OEA office
• Tuesday, October 21^st from 9:00a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the OEA office.

Agenda for the next session will include:

REA will provide counter proposals on Articles 22 and 23

The District will provide counters on Articles 14, 18 and 26

We will have discussion on Article 27.