Negotiations update

SGTA Bargaining Update
June 1, 2017
 
SGTA met with the SGUSD Bargaining Team for negotiations on Tuesday May 23rd.  While the parties were previously scheduled to meet on May 3rd, the District cancelled this session explaining they needed more time to work on their responses to SGTA’s proposals. 
 
Despite repeated requests by the SGTA team throughout the day for SGUSD’s salary proposal, the District did not offer a counter salary proposal until close to 4pm.  While the parties did make progress on open language issues mostly pertaining to special education meetings, professional development, and preparation time, SGTA had hoped more time would have been allotted for salary negotiations.
 
In an effort to reach settlement, SGTA offered a counter proposal meant to resolve 2016/17 reopener negotiations and continue negotiations for 2017/18 salary and retiree medical benefits.  Previously, SGTA had proposed closing both 2016/17 and 2017/18 reopeners. 
 
SGTA’s current proposal includes the following:
 
July 1, 2016 – 2% on-schedule increase and a salary adjustment to the current salary schedule
July 1, 2017 – Continue bargaining in Fall 2017
 
On Friday May 26th, the District presented a counter proposal to SGTA’s offer as follows:
 
July 1, 2016 – 1% on-schedule increase
July 1, 2017 – 2% on-schedule increase
 
It is important to note that this proposal comes on the heels of the Governor’s May Revise Budget which directed $3.2 billion more in Proposition 98 (K-14) funding for 2017-18 than in 2016-17.  The new budget proposal provides 44% gap funding in 2017-18 up from 23.67% in January.  The new proposal also increases the COLA from 1.48% to 1.56% for 2017-18.  SGTA anticipates these adjustments to equate to approximately $575K more in LCFF revenue for 2017-18 than earlier projected and an increase of close to $1.1 million in LCFF revenue over 2016-17. 
 
We did not accept or deny their offer. We will meet in fall to continue negotiations and hopefully improve their offer. During the summer, SGTA will be preparing our plans to support bargaining and a fair contract for all members for the start of the school year. 
 

SGTA would like to thank our Negotiations Team Members, Francois Polifroni, Chanda Strom, Alex Edwards, Tony Phong, Carol Thompson, and our CTA Staff Person, Tom Pinkava, for their unwavering commitment to our bargaining unit. They have given of their personal time to plan, fact find, listen to everyone's concerns about salary and health care and contractual issues.   Thank you team!


As your president, I hope that you all have a well deserved summer break and "Thank You" to all SGTA for always giving 100% to the students of San Gabriel Unified.  See you in August. 


Dena Dragoo
President, SGTA