RIF'd Teachers with Rehire Letters

If you are a RIF'd teacher who has received a rehire letter from the District, it will have a contract enclosed. Apparently PERMANENT STATUS employees are being told that they are "probationary" and will be terminated at the end of the school year. This situation is being investigated. As information becomes available it will be posted on Facebook and on this web-site.

Do NOT sign anything until this matter has been cleared up.

Update 7/27/10: The District is sending out updated contracts with the correct status of "PERMANENT."

Involuntary Transfers & Reassignments
June 9, 2010

This is an update regarding the meeting on Tuesday, June 8, 2010. It was VEA's understanding that Superintendent Santa Cruz would be at this meeting that had been scheduled two weeks in advance. When we arrived, we were informed that Superintendent Santa Cruz could not make this meeting because he was in another meeting. Cheri Summers, Director of Elementary Support, facilitated the meeting. A few options have been provided to the District on the handling of Involuntary Transfers/Reassignments. These are options that we believe are amenable to the District.

These options include: having involuntary transfers pick jobs strictly based on seniority, having involuntary transfers receive a list of all open positions and list their top three preferences, and finally, HR's preference of assigning teachers in positions that they believe are the best fit.

Please keep in mind that the District agrees that current assignments that have been given are tentative assignments and are subject to change. At this point there does not seem to be a clear understanding on how many open positions there are at each school site. We anticipate changes to occur and hope that the uncertainty is cleared up sooner rather than later. Discussions are continuing on this as well as on the process that will be used to bring back RIF'd teachers.

Involuntary Transfers & Reassignments
June 1, 2010

Last week, a meeting was held with Superintendent Santa Cruz and several people from the District Office. The meeting was to discuss involuntary transfers & reassignments. It is VEA's position that in order to best serve the needs of the students in Vallejo that teachers should be able to determine what school site they would like to be in for the 2010-11 school year. This did not happen for the 2009-10 school year and we are trying to prevent it from happening again this year. We continue to work with the District regarding this issue and have scheduled a meeting for next Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at the District Office. If you have any questions regarding this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact Christal Watts.

Come Join the Bargaining Team
May 28, 2010

VEA is looking to recruit new members to its bargaining team. This is a great opportunity to develop a strong working knowledge of the VEA/VCUSD contract. It is also a great way to learn about the issues that effect those working at various school sites and school levels. If you have ever wondered about the bargaining process and what it takes to be part of a negotiating team, then seize the opportunity and complete your application.

If you do not have bargaining experience, you will need to be available during the week of August 1-6, 2010 for CTA's Summer Institute. Deadline to apply is Friday, June 11, 2010.

VEA Contract Ratified!
May 27, 2010

On 5/26/2010 a ratification vote was taken on Vallejo's contract and calendar.
Contract
yes 372 no 31

Four Year Calendar
yes 351 no 52

Respectfully submitted,
Suzanne DuBois, VEA Elections Chair

Ratification Vote this Wednesday, May 26th!
May 24, 2010

The ratification vote for the tentative agreement is Wednesday, May 26 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is at Jesse Bethel High school in the lobby of the theater. You will also vote on a four year calendar. Talk to your Site Rep for more information!

Draft Contract Available ONLINE!
May 19, 2010

Each school site was given a copy of the draft contract at the General Membership meeting on Tuesday, May 18, 2010. In order to afford everyone the opportunity to look at language changes in the contract, a .PDF copy is available online.

Have you submitted your retirement paperwork to STRS & the District? Did you know that you can withdraw your retirement request through STRS before June 30, 2010? In order to do this, you can complete this form.

Important Updates
May 13, 2010

There is a "General Membership" meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at Hogan High in the auditorium. It will run from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. The ratification vote will take place at Jesse Bethel High in the Little Theater lobby Wednesday, May 26, 2010 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Election results for the 2010 VEA Officers Election can be found here.

Proposed Budget Cuts
March 11, 2010

On Wednesday, March 17th, the Trustees for the Vallejo City Unified School District will vote on a package of budget proposals presented by the District. The proposed budget options amount to over $8 million in cuts. Some of these cuts include shortening the school year by one day and eliminating the three buy-back days. The District is also seeking to reduce the Adult Education program by 50% as well as over 30 positions cut in classified staff. Lay-off notices to almost 100 teachers will be sent out in order to meet the March 15th deadline. The District is also proposing increasing class sizes to 31 students in K-3 and increasing middle school and high school student contact by 5 students. For a more complete listing of the District's proposed cuts, click here.

Strike Vote Authorization Approved!
February 26, 2010

In a strong show of support and solidarity, VEA members overwhelmingly approved a strike vote authorization. Ninety percent of the teachers who attended Monday's All Members Meeting voted for the strike vote authorization. Paperwork was also filed on Monday with PERB's and a mediator has been assigned. The District and VEA have plans to meet with the mediator within the next few weeks.

Impasse Declared!
February 10, 2010

Amid chants of "Settle Now" and "No Cuts in Benefits" from 200 teachers and supporters, VEA's Bargaining Team met with the District for another round of negotiations. The District again expressed its unwillingness to move on several issues including wages and benefits. VEA declared an impasse at the end of the negotiations session. Our next steps is to obtain a mediator to meet with VEA and the District. VEA also plans on having an All Members Meeting on February 22, 2010 (exact location TBD). At this meeting, we will be asking members for a strike vote authorization.

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.