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The Vallejo
Education Association (VEA) is the exclusive representative of all
the certificated employees in the Vallejo City Unified School
District.
Update on ALL Members Meeting
January 25, 2010
This afternoon, VEA's Bargaining Team and President Christal Watts held a meeting at Hogan High school to update VEA membership about negotiations. This meeting was to bring the district's economic proposal
and the counter-proposal to ALL members of VEA. Many people expressed disbelief at the offer proposed by the district. Part of the reason for their disbelief was
due to the hand-out provided by VEA's Bargaining Team, which showed a "rainy day fund" of $24 million dollars, including the federal stimulus given to districts to save
jobs!
This coming on the heels of today's Times Herald article which reported that Vallejo's teachers are the lowest paid in Solano County as well as one of the lowest paid in the State! This information was provided by the California Department of Education and
does not take into account the hits to benefits, which are currently at a 67/33 percent split and is even supported by Dr. Damelio. The following is a “timely” quote from an update that Dr. Damelio provided the Bargaining Team regarding district property sales/use:
“…over the last five years, our employees have received a total of 4.5% increased compensation whereas surrounding school districts have been able during the same timeframe to provide compensation increases totaling 10% and substantially more.
This results in Vallejo, already suffering from a multitude of challenges, having a less competitive compensation package at a time when it needs to attract the best educators to ensure that Vallejo’s students have the opportunities afforded students in other districts.”
Many in attendance were opposed to accepting the offer as currently proposed by the district. We all know that we are being asked to do more and more with little to no support provided by the district. Site Reps and
Executive Board members as well as those attending tonight's meeting have been given direction by the Bargaining Team - talk to the other teachers at your school site. The Action Team is starting up again under the new
leadership of Dave Henderson. Within the next few days, expect to attend 10 minute meetings, to answer critical questions that need to be answered to further help Bargaining and Action develop strategies.
We are listening. All questions and concerns raised tonight will be answered in the next edition of the newsletter as well as posted on this website and on our Facebook group. We also continue to work on strengthening communication
to all sites and site representatives.
Handout provided at today's meeting.
Important Information Regarding Changes to YOUR Benefits
January 22, 2010
The District has plans to send out information regarding the increased costs of our health benefits. Included with this information are changes to our dental and vision plans.
This information will be mailed out within the next couple of days. However, there is a deadline of February 12, 2010 to make changes to your dental plan as there are now two options available.
Click here for more information regarding these changes.
ALL Members Meeting
January 19, 2010
There is an ALL Members Meeting on Monday, January 25, 2010 at Hogan High School from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Come hear important information
regarding bargaining. Refreshments will be provided.
Bargaining Update
January 11, 2010
The Bargaining Team is scheduled to meet with the District next Wednesday, January 20, 2010.
No Heat in YOUR Classroom?
December 10, 2009
As temperatures plummet, reports have been coming in that classrooms at some schools are without heat. Going without heat in the classroom is in violation of the Williams Act and needs to be documented every day that the District fails to respond.
To help you do this, click on over to "Classroom Forms". On this page, there are the following documents: Heating Form , heating grievance form, and the Williams Act form. When completing, fax a copy over to the VEA office at 864-6284.
All Members Meeting Canceled
December 7, 2009
The Bargaining team is canceling the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 8. We are as frustrated as you are with the pace of negotiations.
We scheduled this informational meeting because we thought we were going to be bringing you a tentative agreement. However, the district showed up with no authority to discuss monetary issues.
We are sitting at a bargaining table with people who have not been given any authority to negotiate money. Mr. Santa Cruz consistently must seek Dr. Damelio’s approval and support in money matters. This always requires hours and days away from the bargaining table.
Today your bargaining team put a fair and reasonable offer on the table which was in line with prior discussions. We are awaiting a response.
Bargaining Update
November 28, 2009
Listed below are updates on the contract. The Bargaining team and the District meet again this Wednesday, December 2nd.
| Article 3: Wages |
No substantive discussion in the past year |
| Article 4: Credentials |
Tentative Agreement |
| Article 5: Hours |
Lengthy substantive discussions - no resolutions |
| Article 6: Health & Welfare Benefits |
No substantive discussion in past year |
| Article 7: Leaves |
No substantive discussion in past year |
| Article 8: Transfer & Reassignments |
Tentative Agreement |
| Article 9: Safety |
Tentative Agreement |
| Article 10: Class-Size |
No discussion with the District |
| Article 11: Evaluations |
Few oustanding issues |
| Article 12: Comlaints |
Tentative Agreement |
| Article 13: Professional Rights & Responsibilities |
Few outstanding issues |
| Article 14: Site Based Exceptions |
No discussion with the District |
| Article 15: PAR |
No discussion with the District |
| Article 17: Organization Security |
Tentative Agreement |
| Article 18: Full Retirement Credit |
No discussion with the District |
| Article 22: School Closure |
Few oustanding issues |
Please note: There has not been any discussions on issues that would cost money because the District has been unwilling to bring a financial proposal to the table.
(Articles not listed did not have any proposals from either VEA or the District.)
Bargaining Update
October 19, 2009
VEA's bargaining Team met with the district's team on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 . The tone of the session was similar to the last session with both teams working together to reach a settlement, far less adversarial compared bargaining sessions from the past two school years.
Highlights from the Tuesday 10/13/09 Session:
There will be no monetary matters discussed until at least November 4, when State Administrator Dr. Richard Damelio receives an update on VCUSD's budget.
An additional step was added to the grievance process. It will save both VEA & VCUSD potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Discussions continued about the increased workload that continues to be mounted on teachers in the district.
FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS ONLY:
In keeping with the practice from the past decade, Student Progress Reports will NOT be sent to parents prior to the coming Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences.
The “Team Leader” position is no longer limited to only one teacher per grade level at each elementary school. The district is now conveying a message that every elementary teacher is a “leader.” As a result, all elementary teachers who are interested in the coming scheduled training sessions/meetings are invited. Those who attend will be paid $40 an hour.
Our next Bargaining Session is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12.
Please continue to wear blue on Wednesday, as well as your “Settle” buttons, in a showing of solidarity and support for your Bargaining Team.
Bargaining & Action
You may now e-mail the Bargaining and Action Teams directly with your questions and concerns. Look under "Contacts" on the left-hand side of this page and click one of the e-mail links. This will open your e-mail program.
Got Something to Tell Us?
We are interested in what you have to say! Please feel
free to email us with any ideas
you might have to make this web site more helpful.
Our contact information:
Address: 4735 Central Way, Suite C, Fairfield, CA 94534
Phone: (707)864-6193 Fax: (707)864-6284.
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