Negotiations Update – 7.19.16
Dear Colleagues,
As of yesterday, we have completed 5.5 days of bargaining that started June 14. Although we have had productive discussions and have several tentative agreements, we have not yet started to negotiate anything financial. We believe that it is essential to work out contract language issues before getting into raises and benefits. Therefore there is no package to consider voting up or down at this point.
Every session has been facilitated through a federal mediator. At this point we are in a strange holding pattern because the Board team did not make time to meet with us again until after school starts. The Union team was available.
Since our contract expired June 30, this means we will start the school year under all of the terms and conditions of the old contract. We will use the 2015-16 salary schedule which means step increases are still in place, although members at the top of the scale will not see an increase. No changes to health benefits and employee contributions. Etc.
The elephant in the room during negotiations is our common need to pass the 5.4 mil levy this November. Without the levy passing this time around there will be even more cuts next year than there were this year. I have been attending levy steering meetings with the Citizen’s for Our Heights Schools and they need help. If you volunteered or gave donations last time it is important for you to know that the committee will not solicit you through school email. I urge all of you to go to the CHUHyes.com website and sign up to volunteer or to donate to the campaign. Use a personal email address. Thank you in advance. It takes a lot of money to run a campaign during a general election and it is in our best interest to consider helping.
If you have questions or concerns we are available most days at our office (321.0020) from 10-4 or through email.
In Union,
Ari Klein
CHTU President