[Editor’s Note: An update to members from the president of the Teachers Union.]
Friends,
Your Culver City Federation of Teachers Bargaining Team (Carmen Campos, Natalie Gualtieri, Casey Chabola, Kevin Cronin and I) reached a tentative agreement with CCUSD on Thursday afternoon.
This is a two-year deal. For the '14-'15 school year, you will receive a 3 percent salary increase as well as an additional $300 increase to what CCUSD contributes to the cost of healthcare premiums for those selecting CCUSD health plans.
For the '15-'16 school year, you will receive a 3.6 percent salary increase as well as an additional $400 toward your healthcare costs.
Given the time crunch, all other items in our bargaining proposal will carry over to the fall.
We never have signed a two-year deal. In the past, CCUSD would drag out negotiations all year long and then offer us whatever was left over. Yesterday, we signed a deal not only for next year but for the following year. The change could not be more dramatic.
Both parties have agreed that with a two-year deal we will have to develop contingency language. If the sky falls, CCUSD will need to come back and take a second look at the second year. Conversely, if there is a windfall, we will want to re-open talks and bargain a larger increase.
To put the agreement into some context:
* The COLA (cost of living adjustment) from the state this year is .85 percent
* The settlement will push our top salary in the second year to $90,020.
* Our top salary just a few years ago in '11-'12 was $80,890.
* The settlement will push CCUSD into a deficit-spending mode in the second year. (CCUSD will lose $1.2 million as the parcel tax expires. Reserves will be used to help fund the settlement.)
This is an excellent settlement, and we are recommending that you ratify it.
We will vote electronically next week. If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact any member of the team.
Good weekend!
Mr. Mielke may be contacted at davidmielke@ccusd.org
