Bargaining Update - Session #4

Dear REA,
On Tuesday, April 7th REA met again with the District for Bargaining Session #4. We had over 100 engaged members turn out in support. Below are the most salient points.

• REA presented a counter to Article 5 (Employee Rights) wherein we proposed to make changes to the current Plan of Awareness, without losing its protections, and restored proposed language around temperature control and reimbursing members’ possessions damaged by students.
  
• The District gave a financial presentation documenting the financial impact REA’s proposals would have on the District. The numbers were most often based on worst-case scenarios and seemed inflated to a dramatic extreme that was often out of line with our actual proposals (their reaction to our proposed language around temperature control being especially egregious). In cases where REA proposals were meant to cut costs, the District estimated the expense without offsetting with the proposed savings (such as with early retirement, buying out personal days, etc.) In all, the District presented an extremely stilted picture of the financial impact REA’s proposal would have with numbers that, oftentimes, seemed arbitrary. 
  
• The District followed with their own presentation on Article 22 (Compensation) and 23 (Fringe Benefits). Their proposal includes extreme cuts to the following:
  
  • 0% COLA in years One & Two. 1% COLA in Year Three
  • No Step Increase or Step Credit in Year One
  • No Longevity Stipend in Year One
  • Cut the Insurance Pool from $350,000 to $100,000​
    

 Their proposal would mean REA Members would be the only ones who  do not get a step or a COLA.

• Our team followed their proposal with questions designed to help us better understand the District’s financial priorities. Although they refused to answer many of our questions, it became clear that the District has planned to give salary increases to Classified, Admin, and Cabinet Members while leaving REA members behind. In fact, Cabinet level positions were given an extra 1% COLA above everyone else after the ratification of other contracts.
  
• After a caucus, REA explained that we could not currently engage on articles with financial implications until the District fulfilled our information request for Admin check-stubs. We reminded the District that their financial disclosures have not been transparent and often change or shift after the disclosures are made. By providing check-stubs with redacted personal information, REA would be able to more accurately verify compensation. This would help us ensure that, regardless of our District’s financial difficulties, the burden of those difficulties are being shared equitably.
  
• On a more positive note, we were able to tentatively agree on Article 25 (RIF Process) which added language to protect REA officers during a RIF in order to maintain stability in REA leadership. 
  
• For the next session, the District agreed to bring counters to Articles 5 and 9, while we plan to open articles 10 (PD), 13 (Academic Freedom), 26 (Student Services) and a revised version of Article 4 (Association Rights). 
  

The next Session will be at RHS Library at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, April 28. We look forward to seeing you there!
In Solidarity,
REA Bargaining Team