Negotations 2017 | Cleveland Heights Teachers Union

Negotiations Update - 3.7.17 Essential Training

Essential Training

In 2013 we ratified a contract that included Essential training. This is about training the District wants us to attend outside the normal work day or calendar. The original language spelled out the programs that the District felt were necessary at the time. There were provisions around pay, on sharing a room if sent out of town, a limit of 7 days every 5 years that could be required, 6 months advance notice required , and a few more items. See Article 6 in the current contract.

What changed?

The tentative agreement calls for changes in the list of essential training

Negotiation Update - 3.6.17 Wages

Dear Colleagues,

We are trying to arrange a membership meeting for Monday March 20 or Tuesday, March 21 to vote on the tentative agreement was reached on Friday, March 3. Our Executive Board will vote either to recommend or not recommend at our March 16 meeting.

The actual agreement is posted on our website for you to study. http://chtu.oh.aft.org/negotations-2017/tentative-agreement-3317

Until then, we will be publishing about different sections of the agreement. Today will be a short article on the raises.

What does 0%, 1.5%, 1.5% mean?

The raises in the tentative agreement were the best we

Tentative Agreement - 3.3.17

Here is the signed tentative agreement from March 3, 2017.

Our Executive Board will meet March 16 and we will have a membership meeting the week of March 20. Voting will start that last week before spring break.

Link to PDF file of tentative agreement

CHTU Update - Salary Comparison 2.16.17

Dear Colleagues,
The State Employees Relations Board collects public contract information from across the state. We received information comparing our teacher salaries with the 28 school districts that reported in Cuyahoga County. Here are the highlights. (in table form below if you are not using "plain text" in your email)
As you see the comparisons, ask yourself if we are overpaid. Draw your own conclusions.
In Union,
Ari Klein
CHTU President

BA STARTING SALARIES
Starting salaries with a BA range from a low of $35,249 to a high of $49,465. The average is $40,934. CHUH ranks 7th of 28 at $42,375.

BA

Negotiations Update - 2.15.17 Membership Vote Results/Response to Supt 2.3.17 Letter

Dear Colleagues:

We have tallied the results of our February 7, 2017 membership vote and the Cleveland Heights Teachers Union has overwhelmingly rejected the Board of Education’s final offer for a three-year contract. 484 of those casting ballots 93% – voted to reject the Board’s offer; 36 members 7% - voted to accept. We received 520 ballots out of 541.

Today, CHTU and the Board of Education returned to the bargaining table in an attempt to identify, and hopefully deal with, the stumbling blocks keeping us from reaching a resolution. Although we had good conversations we did not end up with

Negotiations Update - 2.9.17 Voting Instructions

Dear Colleagues,
Thanks to everyone who was able to attend the membership meeting on Tuesday. Our team was lifted by your support.

-Absentee ballots and stubs are due to our office by Tuesday, February 14 at 4 pm.

-As a show of unity, please wear BLACK tomorrow for the PD day. Please avoid spirit wear black clothing. We are in mourning for the US Department of Education and for our lack of having a decent contract offer. Please continue to wear your "NO" buttons.

-We are encouraged that even though the final tally of our vote is not yet public, that we have scheduled a bargaining sessions for

Negotiations Update - 2.6.17 Don't Be Misled

Dear Colleagues,

On Friday, February 3^rd you received an email propaganda piece from Dr. Dixon about the state of negotiations, from the administration’s point of view.

Not only is the information she published misleading, it is also a violation of the Ohio collective bargaining law. It is inappropriate for management to communicate directly with the Local 795 membership on contract talks as it would be for our Union leadership to send information to members of the Board of Education. We will be filing an Unfair Labor Practice with the State Employee Relation’s Board regarding this wrongful

Negotiations Update - 1.18.17 - District Finances

Dear Colleagues,

The District is required by the state to have a 5 year forecast showing major areas where money is spent and where income received. Our Board has asked for this forecast to be updated monthly as a discussion point at Board meetings.

The 5 year forecast has been a staple of speculation for years. For instance, we have seen the salary line fluctuate wildly as guesswork. As an example, when salaries for Fiscal Year 2016 were first forecast back in October 2011 the forecast showed that salaries for all employees would cost $67.8 million. By February 2013 it was down to $64

Negotiations Update - 1.17.17 - Documents

Dear Colleagues,

On January 11 your negotiating team received a final offer for a 3 year contract from the District. This offer has some improvements from our last meeting, but unfortunately it is not one that our team can recommend.

On January 12 the CHTU Executive Board met and thoroughly discussed the offer. The Executive Board then voted unanimously, in a roll call vote by school, to reject the Board’s final offer.

Over the next three weeks we will hold meetings at each school to discuss the offer and answer questions. Your building steward will be able to let you know the schedule for