After putting four furlough days and cuts to Prop A stipends on the table to achieve the reductions that the district says they need, the union had to walk away from the bargaining table after 5 pm on Friday, April 9, 2010 when the district refused to agree to simple improvements in the working conditions of our members. The district administrators admitted that the union had put up nearly the exact amount that they had identified as UESF’s portion of the effort to close the funding gap.
- But they could not grant paraprofessionals bereavement leaves for second degree relatives.
- They refused to agree to changes to improve the treatment of consolidated teachers.
- They refused to agree to daily prep periods for elementary teachers.
- They refused to continue core substitutes who have served faithfully for more than a decade.
- They refused to agree to publish the job descriptions of paras.
How petty and arrogant can they be?
The superintendent’s team, led by Deputy Superintendent Richard Carranza, simply wants UESF members’ money and have shown no respect for the members nor the bargaining team. They tried the same trick as last week, making an oral pronouncement at the end of the day. But the union demanded a comprehensive response in writing to its proposals before walking out.
UESF put over $35,000,000 on the table. That is more than $6,300 for every member of the union. And the district will not even agree to simple non-monetary items as a show of respect, gratitude, and
willingness to reach an amicable, negotiated settlement.
The superintendent’s callous disrespect tarnishes the reputation of the administration. It is shocking after the union has made honest and open efforts to protect the members while responsibly contributing to the
filling of the deficit.
Superintendent Carlos Garcia tried to greedily grab for more. His team immediately moved to add three furlough days to the end of the current school year, a thoughtless, mindless disruption that shows absolutely no concern for the classes, students, or teachers who are working to increase student achievement.
- The superintendent has tried to change the terms of Proposition A without the union’s agreement.
- The superintendent has refused money that the union has put on the table.
- The superintendent has refused specific cuts to unnecessary consultancies highlighted by the union.
- The superintendent has refused to disclose what he is doing with the $10 million slice of Proposition A that is under his control.
- The superintendent wants to continue business as usual with his consultants, lawyers, and pet projects, but expects every teacher and paraprofessional to pay for the gap in the budget.
Tell the superintendent what you think of his behavior on Tuesday, April 13th. Join members of the bargaining team at 4:00 p.m. at Civic Center Secondary School (John Swett site) for a detailed explanation of negotiations so far, then march to the Board of Education to let your voice be heard.
