Tentative Agreement Ratifies

The tentative agreement for 7.9 % in concessions has been ratified by the membership this week. Next steps are for it to be brought to the school board for a vote, and then the county for acceptance. CSEA will be negotiating next week for the same amount, 7.9%
The 7.9 consists of 7 furlough days, and the layoffs in the form of class size increases, of which the district received a state waiver to raise class sizes.

Bargaining Update - December 1st, 2010

NTA met with the district today, Wed. Dec. 1st, to continue negotiations. The meeting was productive, as NTA and the district clarified our respective proposals, particularly in the area of the fed. jobs funds. NTA inquired about the county's Nov. 30th deadline, and the district responded that it assumed the county had gone ahead with filing for state receivership. Indeed, as KCRA has reported today, in an interview with County superintendent Gordon, he indicates that he began that process. He also acknowledged that employee negotiations continue. As such, NTA meets again with the district on Monday, Dec. 6th. To view the current proposals from NTA and the district, and to provide the bargaining team with your input on bargaining, please do attend the NTA Communication Committee's site-level meetings occuring this week and next. We look forward to your participation and input.

Impasse Delayed, by PERB ruling

NTA received the word from PERB that based on our opposition letter, the District has agreed to withdraw its request for appointment of a mediator. Therefore, we (NTA) will meet on December 1 & 6 to continue bargaining.

Natomas in the news - November 2010

Sacramento Bee Articles in the last few weeks:

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/12/03/3229397/infusion-of-school-leadership.html

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/12/02/3226706/sacramentos-natomas-school-district.html

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/12/02/3226702/stimulus-schools.html

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/11/30/3221972/natomas-unified-sets-meeting-with.html

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/11/20/3200285/natomas-school-district-teachers.html

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/11/26/3212347/clock-ticking-in-natomas.html

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/11/19/3197035/facing-takeover-school-district.html

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/11/19/3197353/natomas-unified-wants-mediator.html

Bargaining Update, November 18, 2010

Natomas Teachers’ Association

BARGAINING UPDATE – NOVEMBER 18, 2010

Yesterday, the NTA Bargaining team met with the district from 10:00am until 8:00 pm. NUSD countered our proposals on Safety, Leaves, and Hours with significant movement towards agreement on these articles. The Association countered with the revised proposal outlined below, that includes budget cuts days and other potential savings. At the end of the session, however, the district responded that they are seeking to go to impasse unilaterally. NTA believes that it is premature to declare impasse, and we did not agree to it, because we continued to bargain and made significant progress in this latest bargaining session.

To date, the Natomas teachers have taken 5 budget cut days for 2009-2010 and 6 days for 2010-2011. A county appointed financial consultant has determined the district’s cash flow puts it in jeopardy of state receivership. While the Association does not believe teachers contributed to the financial predicament in which the District finds itself, it recognizes that there are financial difficulties. The Association has made a new proposal to address the district’s cash flow problem for the 2011-2012 school year.

NUSD Demands Concessions
Based on the currently improved state budget outlook, the district has reduced its previous demand for concessions from 10.1% to 7.9% for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school years. The district is seeking:
7.9% = the equivalent of 16 budget cut days (by law, we can only give up to 8.5 days/year total)
2011-2012 7.9% Cut to employee salaries and benefits (16 Days)
2012-2013 7.9% Cut to employee Salaries and Benefits (16 Days)
This is the equivalent of 32 days cut

NTA’s Revised Proposal
Currently, the 6 days lost this year will be restored in 2011-2012. To address the district’s financial situation, the Association has proposed
2011-2012 7 days cut (3.39%)
IF
-The parties reach agreement on the Association’s proposals to improve:
• Article V (Hours), Article VIII (Safety), Article VII (Leaves), Article IV Salaries, Article III (Grievances)
-The Staff Development Days become teacher-directed work days
-The District agrees to enhanced fiscal accountability
+
2011-2012 a half year delay on step movement (saves .8%)
IF
-The parties reach agreement on the Association’s proposals to improve:
• Stricter policies and practices regarding interdistrict student transfers (may save approximately 1 million or the equivalent of 2.87%)
-The District reduces its spending on Services and Other Operating Expenditures by $330K
• the parties reach agreement to resolve their disputes over the Athletic Director positions

TOTAL OFFER would save the district 7.75% (approximately 5% of this coming from NTA concessions and the rest from improved district policies and practices)

These concessions would sunset at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.

Contact your organizing team or bargaining team to see what you can do to support your association.