How to resolve AdBlock issue? UPPER LAKE, Calif. — An impasse has been declared in the negotiations between the Upper Lake Unified School District and its teachers union, with the union’s president saying that members are ready to pursue a strike if necessary.
Both the district and the Upper Lake Employees Association, or ULEA, confirmed that a mediator is expected to join the negotiations soon.
Key issues in the negotiations breakdown revolve around teachers' pay, according to statements made by the district and the union.
On Thursday, the California Teachers Association, or CTA, issued a statement on behalf of ULEA in which it explained that a supermajority — or 88% — of ULEA’s members voted to support a potential strike.
“The Upper Lake Educators Association is prepared to strike,” Alex Stabiner, ULEA’s president, told Lake County News in a separate Thursday email.
Stabiner said this year the union’s negotiations with the district led to the union declaring impasse. “This was not from a lack of effort. After the third round of negotiations we were still pretty far apart on the critical issues of teacher safety, special education class sizes, and salaries.”
The district said ULEA declared impasse after only four meetings and then took a strike vote.
Noting that in the small Upper Lake district “our negotiations team and association leadership put their own time into this work,” Stabiner said ULEA conferred with CTA on how to proceed after the third round of negotiations. “CTA had recommended that we declare impasse.”
The CTA’s report said, “The issues at stake are fair working conditions, such as school site safety and ensuring teachers are part of the conversations for safer classrooms, as well as urgent, long-neglected needs within the district’s special education program. Educators in these classrooms face extraordinary demands and deserve meaningful support to ensure their students receive the services and stability they need.”
Stabiner said that, before ULEA declared impasse, it agreed to the district’s request for a fourth round of negotiations.
“In good faith, our negotiations team met with the district for a 4th round against the advisement of CTA,” Stabiner said. “Although we were able to resolve many items by the end of the fourth meeting, our core issues remained unresolved: teacher safety, special education class sizes, and salaries.”
In response, the district issued a written statement to Lake County News in which it explained that, “In just four meetings, the District and ULEA have already made strong progress, reaching agreement on 28 of the 34 items discussed.”
Stabiner said ULEA filed for impasse with the California Public Employee Relations Board, or PERB.
A search of documents in the PERB online file portal showed that ULEA filed for impasse on Nov. 14, with PERB issuing an approval for impasse and mediation on Nov. 18.
Shortly after that PERB filing, Stabiner said ULEA organized a strike authorization vote.
“This vote was not taken lightly,” Stabiner said in the Thursday email. “This was new territory for ULEA as none of our membership had ever needed to explore a strike before. There was much discussion over what exactly is a strike and what the implications would be. Every member voted. With an overwhelming majority, ULEA voted to authorize a strike.”
Noting that the impasse and strike vote took place after only four meetings, the district said in its statement, “While the district is disappointed by these pressure tactics, we are hopeful that, through open communication and teamwork, we can reach a fair agreement without disrupting students’ learning. The District remains optimistic that the few remaining topics can be resolved through continued good-faith discussions.”
Meantime, Stabiner said the union packed the district board meeting on Tuesday. “This was a demonstration to show the district that our teachers are united, organized, and ready to stand up for our profession, our schools, and our students.”
District responds to union statements about pay for teachers
The CTA statement said key concerns cited by ULEA are the increase in time needed to meet their students' needs and teachers’ pay not keeping up with the cost of living or the increase in work.
In response, the district said that, since the 2018-19 school year, it has increased ULEA salaries by a total of 43% across all educator pay levels.
Over that same time, the district said its funding rose only 27.81%, meaning salaries grew about 15% faster than the cost-of-living increase.
For the top educator pay levels — those with the most experience and credentials — salaries went from $77,252 to $114,383, a 66% increase, the district reported.
In the current school year, the district said it has offered a 2% raise, an increase in the health benefits cap from $16,000 to $17,000, updated contract dates, and small clean-up changes to the extra duty list.
ULEA has submitted additional proposals, including a request for an additional 1%, the district said.
Stabiner, quoted in the CTA statement, said ULEA hopes the district “will take immediate steps to avoid further escalation,” and that the strike vote “sends a clear and unmistakable message: educators are united, organized and ready to stand up for our students, profession and schools.”
Stabiner told Lake County News on Thursday, “We remain hopeful about the next step in the process. We expect to meet soon with the District and a PERB appointed mediator to continue bargaining with the goal of reaching a fair tentative agreement. A strike is not our goal. However, we are prepared to take lawful action in support of pay that keeps up with the cost of living and working conditions that ensure safety for educators and students.”
In its statement, the district said it is looking forward to working with a neutral mediator to work through remaining issues with ULEA.
“The District is proud of the partnership built with ULEA and values the shared dedication to students,” the district said in its statement. “We remain confident that, by continuing to work together, we can settle the last few issues and return our focus to educating the students of Upper Lake.”
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