F

l a sh p o i n ts

NEGOTIATIONS

www.peateachers.org

NeEDUCATION ASSOCIATION
A PUBLICATION OF THE PITTSBURG
th
159 E. 4 Street, Pittsburg, CA 94565 (925)
432-0199, info@peateachers.org
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PEA & PUSD Reach Tentative Agreement in Mediation

April 1, 2015
It has been a long and demanding bargaining cycle, but we finally reached a fair agreement! The
major issues prior to mediation were the term of contract, K-3 class sizes, effective date of
benefit increases, work year, and hours. We were able to secure a competitive successor
agreement while maintaining our ability to negotiate salary and benefits each of the next two
years once the facts of the budget are known. Benefit increases will be paid retro as well. This
was a very important gain for us! PEA members will not be threatened into settling for
unfavorable terms because our benefit increases are being held hostage. On K-3 class sizes, we
agreed on school averages 24:1, with maximums of 26:1. If the funding is eliminated or
decreased, the district may return to current class sizes (30:1), but we would be able to negotiate
an alternative at that time.
The following is a summary of the Tentative Agreement (highlighted items were reached in
mediation). Detailed language will be available to view after spring break.
Article
1

Agreement
Term

3 years 7/1/2014 thru 6/30/2017

2015/2016 Reopener on Salary and Benefits, bargaining to
begin fall of 2015 (after State budget adopted).
2016/2017 Reopener on Salary and Benefits and 2 articles
each.

6
6
7

Staff meetings
Elementary Lunch
Leave

Class size

10

Evaluations

Current Contract Language

Current Contract Language
Paternity & Adoption increased to 7 personal necessity
days
Registered Domestic Partner added as Member of
immediate family
Site administrator may ask for verification of bereavement
leave within 30 days.
TK- 3 (including 3/4 combo) class sizes 24:1 school
average, 26 maximum; if funding is eliminated or reduced
District may return class sizes to current contract language.
Speech therapist caseload shall not exceed 65.
Electronic forms may be used following current evaluation

PEA Bargaining Team: Mark Maselli, Chair Hillview JHS, Tammy Carr Highlands, Jeff Greco Rancho Medanos JHS,
Andrea McKinney Black Diamond High, Bertha Ramos Rancho Medanos JHS & Rosemary Louissaint CTA Staff

11

Safety

12

Benefits

procedures.
District shall investigate safety violations within 3
workdays and must correct safety violations within 5
workdays.
All disaster materials and first aid kits shall be checked and
restocked annually.
Each site shall have a binder with a record of students who
have committed violent acts per Education Code 49079
updated monthly.
The District will increase its contribution to health benefits to:
Employee Only - $625.00
Employee + 1 - $1,196.00
Family - $1596.00

Retro:
Unit members shall be issued a one-time off-schedulebonus check on or before June 11, 2015 of up to six
months difference in benefit contributions:
Employee Only - $625.98
2 Party - $1,227.96
Family - $1,935.96
If check is issued in May instead, payment shall only be:

Employee Only - $521.65

2 Party - $1,023.30
Family - $1,613.30

13

Salary

9% increase to salary applied to all rates and schedules,

and stipends. (Effective 7/1/2014 a separate retro check
will be issued for these increases.)
$2,500 signing bonus for math, science, reading specialist,
special education, and dual immersion.
$5,000 signing bonus for speech language pathologist.

16
17
24

Work Year
Summer School

Current Contract Language (No additional workday)

Add MOU language to CBA. Start bargaining summer
school evaluation by September 30, 2015.
Non-discrimination Updated non-discrimination article to include gender,
gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, medical
Clause
condition, genetic information, denial of Family and
Medical Care Leave, military and veteran status, or any
other basis prohibited by law.

PEA Bargaining Team: Mark Maselli, Chair Hillview JHS, Tammy Carr Highlands, Jeff Greco Rancho Medanos JHS,
Andrea McKinney Black Diamond High, Bertha Ramos Rancho Medanos JHS & Rosemary Louissaint CTA Staff

Collective Action and Solidarity Led to Agreement

We had an unprecedented amount of support from PEA members, parents, students, and our
community allies as we worked together for a fair contract. Working-to-rule was very impactful
as well as all the letters, emails, rallies, and presentations at the school board meetings. It was
especially significant to have high school students and parents from all levels speak out on our
behalf. Our agreement was a result of the organizing efforts of many people who care about
public education in Pittsburg! Thank you to everyone who stepped up and got involved!
If you were unable to participate in organizing events, the great thing about being in our union is
you get the benefits of the Collective Bargaining Agreement too!
While we did not get everything we hoped for, overall, we believe this is a fair agreement and a
positive step toward attracting and retaining great teachers in Pittsburg. Look for information
regarding a general membership meeting and ratification vote after spring break.
Enjoy your time off with family and friends.
In Solidarity,
Your PEA Bargaining Team

PEA Bargaining Team: Mark Maselli, Chair Hillview JHS, Tammy Carr Highlands, Jeff Greco Rancho Medanos JHS,
Andrea McKinney Black Diamond High, Bertha Ramos Rancho Medanos JHS & Rosemary Louissaint CTA Staff