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Areas of Concern with RSDs Contract Proposals

3/11/2024

Link to RSDs Full Proposals:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17bTh8Nh9WcRJbrFvHyouj5cPnSIMYs47?usp=drive_link

Loss of Freedom & Power

Time: limits Union 10s while adding to 30 minutes to Friday work hours.
Cuts “collaboration” out of contractual committees. Gives the district power to ignore educator voice.
Cuts Union voice in evaluation cycles, school schedules, etc.
Guts Article 18.
Limits protections from being fired by eliminating the plan of awareness.

Loss of Pay

3%, 2%, 1% COLA “increase.”
Cuts access to additional insurance.
District intentions for insurance dollars is unclear.
Cut district contributions and limits member contributions to the insurance pool.
No increases in any stipends.
Sunsets early retirement.

Loss of Growth & Development

Removes reimbursable access to workshops or conferences.
Cuts reimbursable tuition hours for members furthest on payscale to 2 hours/contract cycle. (This limits members’ ability to advance on the salary schedule.)
Removes ability of members to borrow tuition money ahead from the next contract cycle.

Bargaining Session #3 Update

3/8/2024

Thank you for your continued support as we meet with the district to strengthen our contract! Here’s the lowdown on what happened at our March 7th session.

Article 3: Miscellaneous

REA explained the need to be clear about when action needed to be taken by members in communications from the district using examples from previous forms of insufficient communication from the district (i.e. “Keeping You Informed).
The district agreed that this was problematic and proposed putting “Action Required” in the subject line of emails. REA felt this language was appropriate and helpful.
RSD countered REA’s proposed language that the district respond to emails/phone calls by members within 24 hours with language proposing the district respond within 5 business days.
- REA found this unacceptable and countered with language requiring the district to respond within 2 business days.
This article remains open for discussion at the next bargaining session.

Article 4: Association Rights and Privileges

RSD countered REA’s proposed language to hold union 10s at any meeting once per week with language proposing union 10s be held twice per month.
- REA found this language unacceptable and an attempt to silence the union and countered with our original language of holding a union 10 once per week.
This article remains open as the district finds that this use of time at meetings is “inefficient” for all parties.

Article 8: Emergency Closures

We have set this article aside as both REA and RSD are in agreement around the changes to the language around emergency closures, however, we have not officially “tentatively agreed” to it yet.

Article 10: Professional Development

REA gave more context as to why we need to maintain a collaborative nature when developing PD. REA further explained the importance of meeting members' needs in terms of their prior experience and expertise when it comes to developing trainings for staff.
- RSD agreed to our proposed language of a one hour lunch break during PD/training days.
- REA agreed to RSD’s proposed language changes around considering prior knowledge and experience when developing professional development and trainings.
We have now set this article aside as both REA and RSD are in agreement around the changes to the language around professional development, however, we have not officially “tentatively agreed” to it yet.

Article 21: Dues and Payroll Deductions

REA worked collaboratively at the table with RSD on this article. After some discussion, we agreed to doing more research and discussion around ways we can mitigate some of the finance departments challenges to getting paychecks out on the 20th without changing the date we are paid each month.
We will come back to this article at a later bargaining session when we have more information on how to proceed to meet RSD’s needs and maintain our paydate of the 20th each month.

NEXT SESSION: March 19th in the RHS Library at 5pm.

REA is opening Article 5: Employee Rights and Article 9: Teaching Hour.
RSD is also opening Articles 5 and 9 as well as Article 19: Tuition Reimbursement

Bargaining Session #2 Update

3/1/2024

The REA bargaining team feels that the second session got off to a slow, overly complicated start. However, the district bargaining team was very impressed with our uniform, black REA swag. (Another chance to order is coming soon!)
We shared proposals for Articles 3, 4,10, 17, and 25. The district shared proposals for articles 4, 8, 10 and 25.
The bargaining team was frustrated by the need to spend time rehashing ground rules we thought were clear in our initial session.
Each side came with counters for all proposals presented so far, yet could only come to an agreement on Article 25. However, we have not tentatively agreed (TA) to anything yet. We are choosing not to TA any articles until the district has put forth all proposals.
The district struck all of the proposed changes to Article 17 (Substitute and Student Teachers) so we have agreed to come back to that article at a later session as we need more time than just a week to rework that. Look out for a survey from the bargaining team soon soliciting feedback around how many hours are spent subbing by members.
The turnout at the second session by REA members was great and extremely encouraging to the REA bargaining team (Especially in light of the fact that the district spent over an hour and a half in caucus). We appreciate you all sticking it out with us!

Areas of Concern with RSDs Contract Proposals

Bargaining Session #3 Update

Bargaining Session #2 Update

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