OSEA Bargaining Session Update: February 28, 2018

The first bargaining session between Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA) and Reynolds School District (District) was held on February 28, 2018 at the Reynolds School District Professional Development Center from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

This was the initial meeting to introduce teams, schedule upcoming negotiation sessions, and establish ground rules for the negotiations.

Teams were introduced as follows:

OSEA Bargaining Team

Timothy Welp, OSEA Field Representative, Lead Negotiator
Ed Baker, Digital Imaging Technician, RSD Communications
Kimbra Bozikovich, Educational Assistant, Cornerstone Post-High Program
Cindy Dominiak, Transportation Routing Specialist, Transportation & President, OSEA (Absent)
Joel Garner, Lead Custodian, Reynolds High School
Kim Greenlee, Life Skills Educational Assistant, Woodland Elementary School
John Lund, Bus Driver, Transportation
Sue Mutschler, Assistant Secretary, Woodland Elementary School & Vice President, OSEA
Cheryl Rickerd, Assistant Secretary, Walt Morey Middle School
Teresa Schleining, Life Skills Educational Assistant, Salish Ponds Elementary School
Leslie Sykes, Assistant Secretary, Wilkes Elementary School

District Bargaining Team

Brian Hungerford, Attorney, Hungerford Law Firm, Lead Negotiator
Jennifer Ellis, Executive Director of Human Resources, Administration
Linda Florence EdD, Superintendent, Administration
Chris Greenhalgh, Director of Secondary Education, Administration
Rachel Hopper, Deputy CEO, Administration
Rehana Nelson, Transportation Coordinator, Transportation
Joe Teeny, Reynolds School Board Chair

OSEA Opening Statement

An opening statement was read by Teresa Schleining (copy attached)

Joe Teeny requested that there be help from everyone with making contact with the legislature. He noted that HB 4113 (copy attached) will hamstring our ability locally to fund our district’s initiatives.

OSEA and The District shared Ground Rules Proposals (copies attached)

The group discussed the differences in the two versions:

The District is agreeable with allowing until the second meeting for any new proposals to be introduced.
Timothy shared that OSEA will not contact the media without providing a heads up to the District. Brian shared that the agreement means either side will not proactively contact the media. Last time there was a disagreement about whether the District had contacted the media.

Timothy confirmed that he understands and OSEA’s perspective is they will provide notice to the District.

OSEA requested a caucus at 4:15 p.m. to discuss the ground rules and we resumed the discussion at 4:25 p.m.

For #11, OSEA requested clarification about responding to the media. Brian confirmed if the District receives a call from the media and responds, the next call would be to OSEA to notify them. This agreement would pertain to both parties.
For #8, Jennifer will rework and send the final version via email for signatures.

Upcoming Bargaining Dates Scheduled as follows:

Reynolds School District Professional Development Center:

March 15^th – 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. PDC

Woodland Elementary School Library:

April 3^rd – 4:30 to 8:00 p.m.
April 18^th – 4:30 to 8:00 p.m.
May 2^nd – 4:30 to 8:00 p.m.
May 16^th – 4:30 to 8:00 p.m.
May 29^th – 4:30 to 8:00 p.m.
June 6^th – 4:30 to 8:00 p.m.
June 20^th - 4:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Salary Comparisons with Other Districts

Joe Teeny inquired about salary comparisons with other districts and whether the parties were going to hire an outside agency to complete a salary survey. Timothy indicated that he would be bringing information. Rachel Hopper confirmed that it was likely too late to request this from an outside agency now as we would not get results for two months or possibly even longer.

The session finished at 4:45 p.m. and both teams then caucused separately until the agreed upon ending time of 5:30 p.m.