GSCFT BREAKING NEWS
K-12 Contract Ratification - 6/7/10
Contract ratification voting will take place at the sites this week. Please follow the instructions of your site representative as he or she will be reporting the election results to the union office on Thursday June 10th. To view the updated agreement (with revised secondary calendar) and benefit plan comparison, please click on the link below:
2010-11 K-12 Updated TA with Benefit Plan Comparison
Revised 2010-11 Sec Calendar - 6/4/10
The GSCFT and District agreed to a revision of the 2010-11 Secondary Calendar in the May 28, 2010 Tentative Agreement so that the length of the first and second semesters woud be more balanced. The revised calendar is linked below:
Revised Secondary Calendar - Tentative Agreement
K-12 Tentative Agreement - 5/28/10
The GSCFT and District entered into a tentative contract agreement today for the 2010-11 school year. Highlights include a 5 day furlough, an increase in the medical benefit office visit co-pay, a 175 day instructional calendar, increased flexibility in K-3 staffing ratios and the addition of binding arbitration for financial matters. The agreement is for the 2010-11 year only. The agreement should put the district back on a path of fiscal solvency. Details below:
May 28, 2010 Tentative Agreement
GSCFT Endorsements - 4/30/10
The GSCFT has published a listing of endorsements for the June 8 Primary Election. The list will be distributed to faculty mailroom boxes and can be viewed or printed by following the below link:
GSCFT Primary Election Endorsements
Final Notices / Rescissions Expected - 5/10/10
Although the district has issued final layoff notices in anticipation of a May 15 due date, we expect many rescissions to follow in the next few weeks. The district will need to fill many of the 35FTE in vacancies from the 41 retirees who took the retirement incentive. Those receiving final layoff notices have a right to reemployment as these vacancies are filled according to credential and seniority. The vacancies will first be posted at sites so that eligible faculty can be considered for transfer. Rescissions will follow.
SISC Announces Rate Increase - 5/7/10
SISC, our health benefits JPA, released renewal premiums this week reflecting unanticipated double digit increases totaling $1.5 million. Although significantly lower than the increases being experienced by districts in our former Santa Cruz County JPA, these increases come at a particularly bad time given the budget and workforce cuts that have already been put in place by the district. Your union is considering plan modifications that will bring premium increases down to levels that will not break the district's budget. Plan modifications will also control spiraling out of paycheck monthly employee contributions. If changes are negotiated, they will take effect on October 1st, 2010.
GSCFT endorses Laird - 5/3/10
Today, our Council of Representatives unanimously approved a resolution to endorse John Laird's bid to represent us as 15th District State Senator. The body also voted unanimously to make a contribution of cope funds to what is looking to be a tough election fight because the race was scheduled by the Governor to be decided in special election. John proved to be a strong and successful advocate for education funding, labor issues and social justice in his previous role as our Assembly representative in Sacramento.
Board To Approve Final Layoffs - 4/26/10
Despite the board decision last week to move forward with 41 retirements totaling 35 FTE under the PARS Retirement Incentive, the school board is scheduled this week to approve issuing Final Layoff Notices to all 49.5 K-12 faculty remaining in layoff status. Although last week's approval of the incentive left a short time line for HR to determine which of the retiree vacancies would be immediately filled, we expect those scheduled to receive final layoff notices who will be reemployed due to retirement vacancies to be notified by HR as soon as possible. The board will also act on a resolution to issue final notices to Adult School employees. The meeting will be held on April 28 in the Santa Cruz High School Auditorium and will begin at 6:30 pm.
2010 K-12 Final Layoff Resolution
2010 Adult Education Final Layoff Resolution
Board Approves Incentive/Layoff Side Letters- 4/21/10
After emerging late from an extended closed session, the board announced that they had decided to move forward with the retirement incentive at this evening's board meeting. The announcement was a relief to those who packed the board room in support of those who wished to retire and those who await reassignment due to their current layoff status. The board also approved the 2010 Layoff Side Letter agreements for K-12 and the Adult School. As a result of the side letter agreements, 29 K-12 faculty received layoff rescissions for all or part of their layoff and permanent and probationary Adult Educators will be assigned back to 50% of their 2009-10 assignments in 2010-11. Additional layoff negotiation details can be found in the images of the side letters linked below:
2010 Adult Education Layoff Side Letter
Layoff Negotiation Concludes - 4/20/10
After two days of talks, layoff negotiations for K-12 and Adult Education wrapped up with the union accepting drafts of Layoff Side Letters which should be approved by the school board on 4/21/10. The K-12 side letter specifies which of the K-12 layoffs will be immediately rescinded and provides for summer benefits for those who are not reinstated. It also delineates rehire rights for temporary employees. In all, rescissions will result for 21 individuals. The Adult Education side letter agreement details the restoration of permanent and probationary faculty to 50% of their 2009-10 assignments for the 2010-11 school year and calls for many of those receiving "precautionary" notices to be "treated like" permanent employees in regard to rehire rights resulting from this layoff. The district acknowledged that their seniority lists were not accurate and agreed to honor the union's calculation of faculty "permanent" hours. Adult Education temps will also receive consideration for reassignment over external applicants. Images of the side letters are linked below:
2010 Adult Education Layoff Side Letter
District Reneges Again - 4/14/10
In a rather unproductive day of K-12 contract negotiations the district continues to hold the retirement incentive hostage for further employee concessions in unrelated bargaining. The union is left with no choice but to pursue legal remedies to this injustice. Caught in the deadlock are the retirees (wishing to move on) and the 101 pink slipped faculty (waiting to be reinstated). This is the second time the district has failed to honor its end of the incentive agreement. Those who are angered by the district's bad faith bargaining should attend next Wednesday night's board meeting to express their displeasure. The meeting will start at 6:30 pm and will be held at County Office Board Room at 400 Encinal St. in Santa Cruz.
All 30 Say Yes! - 4/2/10
By a little after 4:00 pm this afternoon, all of the OPTION 1 retirees turned in their election forms. No one withdrew from the program with all 30 electing to forego OPTION 1, take OPTION 2 of the Pre-Retirement Incentive and move forward with their retirements. All 41 retirees will get 80% of a year's salary. The greatest benefit of the retirement incentive is the vacancies that it creates, providing assignments for those who received pink slips. At this point there is no reason that the district should not move forward with offering the incentive as we have provided the additional $150,000 in savings that was requested. It will be interesting, now that we have once again satisfied our end of this agreement, to see how long it takes for the district to uphold its end.
Retirement Incentive (SRP) Update - 3/29/10
The District and the GSCFT would both like to see the retirement incentive move forward without a protracted legal battle. Due to disagreement over the financial feasibility of the plan we have entered into a conceptual agreement to eliminate OPTION 1 (Pre-Retirement Incentive providing 20 day project) from the SRP. Those who were eligible for OPTION 1 will still be eligible for OPTION 2 of the Pre-Retirement Incentive (health benefits for up to 5 years) if they wish to remain in the program. These individuals will be given an opportunity this week to indicate whether they would be willing to retire with the SRP (80% of salary) without OPTION 1 but still remaining eligible for OPTION 2. Those no longer interested in the incentive due to the elimination of OPTION 1 will have the opportunity to opt out and withdraw from their resignation and retirement. OPTION 1 participants will receive an email communication from HR on 3/30/10 which will include the form to be completed and returned to HR by 4:00 pm Friday. The form is linked below as well:
OPTION 1 Retirement Decision Form
Union Officers Elected - 3/30/10
The results of GSCFT Officers election were announced at the Council of Site Reps Meeting yesterday by Don Jacobs, chair of the GSCFT Election Committee. The following individuals will serve from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2012. Secretary - Beth Landry, Elementary VicePresident - Helayne Ballaban, Secondary VicePresident - Jack Mallory, Treasurer - Mark McConnell, President - Barry Kirschen.
Negotiations Update - 3/15/10
Armed with employee budget balancing concessions resulting from the last faculty survey, the GSCFT negotiating team agreed to the K-3 class size increases that the district included as a contingency in the retirement incentive agreement. This satisfies the outstanding district contingency for the PARS SRP Retirement Incentive and clears the way for the agreement to go to the board on March 24th for approval. The incentive produces $740,000 in budget balancing savings for the district. The retirement of 41 senior faculty will yield 19 vacancies and should result in an equal number of preliminary layoff notice rescissions among the 57 faculty who received these. The team also put furlough calendar days on the table which would yield hundreds of thousands of dollars targeted toward undoing general fund budget cuts to counselors, librarians, elementary Spanish and intervention but the district seemed reluctant to accept them, given union demands for assurances that must go along with agreements resulting in financial impact to faculty members. The next negotiating session is scheduled for March 29th.
No Action on Incentive - 3/11/10
At last night's meeting, the school board received a report on the retirement incentive and chose not to take action. In discussion, district staff and board members expressed concern over replacement costs eating up incentive savings. The board will next have an opportunity to approve the retirement incentive plan on March 24th.
Retirement Incentive Total - 3/5/10
As of the 5:00 pm March 5 deadline, 41 faculty members had signed up for the SRP - retirement incentive. PARS will crunch the numbers and report a savings figure to the district by March 9. The school board will consider approval of the incentive as early as March 10.
Layoff Hearing Date Set - 3/5/10
The date of April 29, 2010 has been set for Layoff Hearings beginning at 9:30 a.m. at a location to be announced. The GSCFT will attempt to resolve as many outstanding issues as possible before the hearing date and will represent members at hearing to resolve remaining issues. Those who wish to assure that their right to a hearing is upheld must file a request for hearing or authorize the union to request a hearing on their behalf within 7 calendar days of receiving a layoff notice. Please see "Faculty Layoffs" news item below for details. Only Permanent and Probationary employees are entitled to a hearing. The GSCFT will attempt to negotiate a side letter affording Temporary employees first consideration for vacancies after those with superior job rights have been offered reemployment.
Adult Ed Layoff Update- 3/3/10
Tonight the school board will act upon the layoff recommendations of district central administration including the layoff of ALL Adult Educators. Curiously, the layoff calls for the Adult Education Principal to be only reduced to 50%. Although we hope that many of the preliminary notices will be rescinded, one wonders why the district would retain a half time administrator while eliminating the entire program.
Adult Ed Permanent and Probationary Employee Layoff Resolution
Adult Ed Temporary Employee Release Resolution
Faculty Layoffs - 2/26/10
On March 3rd at 6:30 PM in the COE Boardroom the School Board will meet in special session to adopt resolutions relating to 2010-11 faculty reductions. Preliminary Layoff notices will be mailed to faculty soon thereafter. Some preliminary notices should be rescinded due to retirement and others due to negotiations but Permanent and Probationary Certificated Employees receiving preliminary layoff notices must adhere to a tight timeline if they intend to preserve their right to a hearing. Those Permanent and Probationary Employees subject to Lay Off may file their own Request for Hearing (within 7 calendar days after receipt of the Lay Off Notice) or may authorize the GSCFT to do so on their behalf by completing the Power of Representation Form (below) and immediately handing it off to a site representative or by sending it to the GSCFT office at 501 Mission St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 to President Kirschen's attention. In addition to the Power of Representation form, those represented by GSCFT should complete the Employee History Form and return it to the union office as well.
Determination of District Needs Board Resolution
Resolution of Intent to Dismiss K-12 Certificated Employees
Resolution to Determine Tie Breaking Criteria for K-12
K-12 Temporary Employee Release Resolution
Adult Education Certificated Employee Layoff Resolutions
March 4 Rally - 2/23/10
March 4 has been designated as a statewide day of action by a broad coalition working to send a clear message to Sacramento. Our message is clear -- underfunding of our schools is unacceptable. Please join us at the town clock from 4-5:00 pm on March 4th as we stand together with faculty and classified from neighboring districts, students, community members, administrators, and school board members to demand solutions to the state budget deficits.
Incentive Meeting Date Set - 2/9/10
A meeting has been scheduled for those interested in finding out more about the retirement incentive. Representatives from PARS will outline the program and counselors from STRS will be present to answer questions and make appointments for those who wish to schedule a meeting. The meeting will be held in the Harbor High school Library at 4:00 pm on November 18th. The PARS presentation will probably take around an hour with a brief STRS presentation afterward.
We were able to finalize an agreement today for an additional retirement incentive for K-12 faculty. The incentive provides for an award of 80% of final salary with a choice of lifetime terms or duration of 5 to ten years in varying dollar amounts. The incentive can be combined with the existing Pre-retirement incentive which allows for 5 years of medical benefits and an option for an additional $25,000 for 20 days of district project work each year. The school board will approve the agreement at its February 10 th meeting. Bargaining unit members eligible for the incentive will be receiving details from PARS, the third party that we worked with in designing this offering. We will have a meeting with PARS and STRS scheduled in mid-February to kick off a 30 day enrollment period. The retirement incentive is truly a win-win agreement with obvious benefit to retirees, budget balancing savings going to the district and reduction of the need for layoffs this year. A copy of the agreement can be found with the link below:
Retirement Incentive Agreement
Negotiation Survey results have been tabulated. We had a significant response with 250 surveys completed and turned in by the due date for tabulation. The results, although not surprising, confirm a strong preference for a budget solution that relies upon a retirement incentive rather than layoffs to help balance the 2010-11 school year budget. 208 of the 250 respondents rated as their first choice, "Retirement incentive resulting in reduction of senior faculty. This option generates savings through attrition -- not layoffs". Among the minority favoring the other options and for the second choice of those favoring the "Retirement Incentive", results were mixed with those favoring a "Calendar Reduction" outnumbering those who chose "Increased Class Size". Negotiations over the retirement incentive will begin this week. We will do our best to honor the wishes of membership in negotiating a significant and attractive retirement incentive for senior faculty.
GSCFT President Barry Kirschen and District Superintendent Gary Bloom were interviewed in a news story outlining the 12/09/09 school board action identifying 3.9 Million in cuts for 2009-10.
see video from the KSBW evening news broadcast
The CFT Raoul Teilet Scholarship Program offers $3,000 and $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors and continuing college students who are dependents of GSCFT members. The application can be picked up at the union office or downloaded and printed by navigating to www.cft.org and clicking on "scholarships".
$8,000 and $1,000 Robert G. Porter Scholarships are available to dependents of GSCFT members from AFT with the application available at www.aft.org/aftplus/scholarships
The AFL-CIO offers scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,000 to GSCFT memberrs, their spouses and their dependents for undergraduate and graduate study. The application is available at www.unionplus.org/scholarships
At this afternoon's general membership meeting, a unanimous decision was made to increase union dues by one tenth of one percent. The change, from 1.4 to 1.5 percent of base pay will be implemented with the January 1st paycheck and was necessary in order to pass through CFT and AFT per caps (dues) increases to members. It was pointed by those discussing the item that with current attacks on public education and a state budget crisis union representation at the local, state and national levels has never been more important. Dues are projected to increase around $7 per month for those who are at the top of the pay schedule and by around $5 per mionth for those at the bottom. Our union membership dues structure continues to be a very good value compared to the dues paid at districts county-wide.
A 2008-09 school year tentative agreement was forged today between district and federation representatives that provides for "no changes" to the Santa Cruz Adult School contract. The "no changes" agreement means that the adult school calendar year, salary schedule, and district benefits contributions remain unchanged for 2008-09 without any of the district proposed retroactive cuts or take-backs enacted. All elements of the contract will continue unchanged with a date for negotiations for the 2009-10 school year yet to be set. Considering the state of the state and district budgets, we consider this a very good outcome. Membership will be given an opportunity to ratify this agreement next week.
A unanimous vote tally today revealed approval among bargaining unit membership late this afternoon. The contract agreement will keep wages stable for the year, preserve school calendar days, increases the grievance procedure timeline and provide for per diem-per student compensation to unit members who carry student loads beyond the contractual super maximum.
The district has scheduled a meeting to answer questions and provide information concerning open enrollment for those keeping the HMO and for those switching from or to the HMO from the PPO. The meeting will be held at Harbor High School in the Multi Purpose Room on August 25th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.
The Union formally withdrew its complaint against the district today for contract violations related to the issuance of Involuntary Transfer letters to 66 certificated employees last spring. The union's withdrawal of the complaint follows district agreement to notify each of the 66 individuals with a formal rescission of their notice of possible involuntary transfer, to comply with contract provisions outlined in Article XII.C when issuing involuntary transfer notices in the future, and to compensate the GSCFT for our cost of representing unit members in this grievance.
The Union withdrew its complaint against the district for direct dealing today in a letter addressed to the Public Employee Relations Board. The union's withdrawal of the complaint follows district actions addressing all of the union's concerns.
The district and GSCFT negotiating teams entered into a tentative agreement today in 2009-10 contract negotiations. The agreement provides for status quo for the 2009-10 calendar and salary schedule. The TA follows board action last week in which a budget balanced without the need of pay cuts was approved. Of the 41.3 FTE in spring 2009 certificated lay-offs, only 2.4 FTE have yet to be restored. It is our understanding that 1.9 million in categorical funding allocated to sites last week can be used to restore our 2.4 FTE who remain in layoff status, many of our released temps and many of the laid off classified workers. In addition to status quo for 2009-10 salary and calendar, changes were agreed to regarding the extra duty schedule and compensation for student loads above the contractual super maximum. A copy of the tentative agreement is linked below:
2009-10 Certificated Contract Tentative Agreement
Most of the certificated faculty who remain in layoff status will be reassigned as a result of board action taken this evening. Board members voted unanimously to fill 9 FTE of vacancies funded through their previously approved April budget and then released 1.9 million in categorical funds for staffing additional positions. Superintendent Bloom stated that he wanted to "reboot" negotiations, rebuild trust, and signaled that the district has determined that it currently no longer needs employee pay cuts to balance the 2009-10 budget. We are still concerned with possible legislative action which would provide the district with an option to shave instructional days from the school year. Your union will monitor the situation in Sacramento and provide further updates here when a state budget is passed.
Many certificated faculty members received notices that they "may" be involuntarily transferred this week. GSCFT plans to file a grievance early next week for the district's failure to adhere to contractual procedure concerning the issuance of these notices. These were not the notices of a district recommendation to involuntarily transfer individuals required by May 15th.
Faculty turned out in force to protest a board resolution to issue final layoff notices Wednesday evening. Final notices will be issues to some 40 individuals representing around 30 FTE. Counselors were particularly hard hit. Many of the final layoff notices will be rescinded as the district honors prior agreements to reinstate laid-off employees as retirements and resignations occur and as openings due to approved leaves of absence are staffed. More info on this topic can be found in the flyer and Sentinel article linked below:
K-12 Negotiations resumed last week with the district renewing their request for a 2% pay cut but offering nothing in return. Based upon the results of our faculty survey, your negotiating team informed the district that although there was not support among membership to agree to the elimination of teacher work days, faculty is willing to consider the elimination of staff development next year. The result, although less than the 2% savings that the district requested, would ease the need for certificated layoffs. The union's position remains that in order to consider a voluntary salary reduction, the district must consider terms which result in an enforceable agreement. Those terms include an extension of contract duration, an extension of the salary formula, agreement on a trigger that will bring back the salary, and expansion of the contract's binding arbitration clause to include matters of financial impact. The next negotiation session is scheduled for May 7th.
At this evening's school board meeting 6 of the trustees voted to accept the negotiated Side Letter Agreement Regarding Certificated Layoff. Abstaining from the vote was trustee Wagman who made it clear that without a certificated pay cut, he would not be voting to rescind layoffs anytime soon. The district has asked for salary concessions equaling $500,000 while holding $2,500,000 worth of certificated employees in layoff status.
Negotiations over the impact of the 2009 Certificated Layoff concluded today with the district and the union signing off on a settlement agreement resolving all outstanding issues without the need for a hearing. The agreement provides for the rescission of preliminary layoff notices for 12.8 FTE impacting 20 individuals. In addition to the above rescissions, the agreement includes language covering the rescission of additional layoff notices for regular classroom teachers as additional resignations and retirements are approved by the school board. We expect that there will be more rescissions due to approved leaves of absence, the allocation of categorical funding, and the receipt of federal stimulus money. The agreement stipulates that the district's contribution to benefits will continue through the summer months for those permanent, probationary and temporary employees who are not yet reassigned. The agreement grants released temporary employees the right of considered for vacancies before external applicants. The agreement will be effective upon acceptance by all 47 employees who requested a hearing and is contingent upon acceptance by the school board. Please click on the link displayed below to view the entire agreement.
Side Letter of Agreement Regarding 2009 Certificated Layoff
At tonight's School Board meeting, the board approved a proposal to transfer $2,000,000 from State Categorical funds to the district's general fund. The transfer leaves significant amounts in categoricals, enough to support most of the positions previously funded categorically. Additionally, the transferred dollars rule out the need for "target 2" cuts to site based programs and reduce significantly the "target 1" cuts that were previously identified. The transfer goes a long way toward balancing the district budget for 2009-10 and reduces the need for employee concessions. Side Letter of Agreement Regarding 2009 Certificated Layoff
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) requires employers to pay 65% of the cost of continuing your health benefits (COBRA) for 9 months after a Layoff. For more info got to:
File a Claim for Unemployment - 3/18/09
If you receive a May 15 Final Notice of Layoff you may immediately file a claim for unemployment insurance coverage. You will remain eligible even if you are subsequently rehired. The maximum weekly benefit is now $959 and depends upon your current earnings. For more info go to:
http://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Filing_a_Claim.htm
Additional Layoffs - 3/6/09
The school board will consider additional layoffs when it meets Wednesday March 11 at 6:30pm at the COE Board room located at 400 Encinal Street in Harvey West Industrial Park. Currently on the block are an additional 1.0 FTE K-5 Elementary Teacher, 0.2 FTE Workability Teacher, 0.5 FTE Professional Development Coordinator, and 0.5 FTE Ed. Tech. Coordinator.
Layoff Notices - 3/2/09
Permanent and probationary certificated employees (and improperly classified temporary employees) receiving layoff notices have the right to a hearing. Please consider authorizing your union to represent you in these matters. We will attempt to negotiate, on your behalf, to resolve any irregular issues regarding this year's layoffs and, if successful, may be able to avoid layoff hearings. However, in order to preserve your right to a hearing, you must request one within 7 days of being served with a layoff notice. This is a short timeline! Your union will submit a single request for hearing on behalf of all layed off employees who have authorized the union to represent them. Upon receipt of a layoff notice, please complete and return the following forms immediately to the union office:
Conflict of Interest Waiver Form
note: you can take a few extra days to complete and return the Employment History Form
S.C.Education Foundation Spam - 2/23/09
There has been some confusion regarding an email communication that was distributed to all SCCSD faculty and to the parent community on February 19th and 20th by the Santa Cruz Education Foundation (SCEF). It seems that many faculty believed that this was another school district mailing intended to "sell" them on the benefits of a pay-cut. The communication titled "Decoding the State Budget Crisis: What it Means for School Funding in SCCS" contrasts the pay-cut vs. layoffs issue with a bias toward the "pay-cut" solution. We requested that the SCCS Education Technology department check with the SCEF to see if they inappropriately obtained the district faculty email listing. We have also requested that Ed. Tech blacklist the SCEF domain, if necessary, in order to end the spam attack. In the mean time, you can click on "unsubscribe" or "SafeUnsubscribe" at the bottom of their mailings in order to be removed from their mailing list.
Layoffs - 2/23/09
At the February 25 Board Meeting (6:30 PM Westlake Elementary) the school board will approve this year's layoff resolutions. Coming before the board will be 5 resolutions impacting certificated personnel:
Although we expect to be able to negotiate (sessions have been set for April 2nd and 3rd) the impact of the layoffs to the satisfaction of those receiving these notices, we have set aside April 24 for Layoff Hearings before an Administrative Law Judge. Permanent and Probationary employees receiving layoff notices are entitled to a hearing and may be represented by the GSCFT if negotiations ae unsuccessful. If you are the recipient of a layoff notice, you should complete the paperwork authorizing your union to represent you in these matters.
Negotiations Update - 2/23/09
The K-12 negotiations teams met last Friday afternoon. Proposals were refined by both sides with some progress made. The next negotiation session is scheduled for March 10th when we expect to receive a response from the district to our last proposal.
Retirement Incentive Update -2/23/09
The union and district have agreed to the terms for a Certificated Retirement Incentive Award. Employees who achieve age 57 by June 30, 2009 and have worked for ten consecutive years (leave of absence does not disqualify) for SCCS will be eligible. Employees will need to resign or retire effective June 30, 2009 to receive the award. The incentive will be in addition to the District Pre-Retirement Options and will include an option for those who will be 59 by June 30th to receive an additional year of health and welfare benefits. The incentive award amount will be $15,675 for those who retire and will be reduced by STRS contribution costs for those who resign. The incentive must still be approved by the school board and the award amount is contingent upon at least 27 employees retiring or resigning. There will be a district sponsored meeting provided on March 9, 2009 at 3:30 PM in room 312 at the District Office for those who want more information. An invitation to take advantage of the Retirement Incentive will be sent to all eligible certificated employees within the next week or so.
403B - 457(B) Plans Update -2/23/09
The district/labor 403(B) - 457(B) committee met today and agreed to bring a unanimous decision to the school board on March 11th for a change in 403(B) and 457(B) plan administrators. The committee recommendation is to end our relationship with Envoy Services (a Keenan & Associates company) and to enter into an agreement with Great American Plan Administrators for 403(B) Third Party Administration and with 457asp as custodian of a new 457(B) plan, with planned effective dates of May 1, 2009. Among the many improvements over the existing plan administrator, the new 403(B) plan will not have fees and will provide an extensive provider list. The new 457(B) plan will provide for significantly lower fees and will eliminate the conflict of interest that was a problem with the existing plan. The committee will meet once more on February 27 to finalize the contract language for the plans. You should receive information via your site mailbox within the next few weeks.
Negotiations -2/03/09
Although K-12 negotiations are not scheduled to begin until next week, the district has been conducting site based "budget briefings" during which site administrators have attempted to "sell" the district's furlough plan with the notion that employees must "share the pain" and "take a hit" or "the layoffs will be bloody".
We believe that the district, in launching a campaign in which they have attempted to "sell" employees on the furlough option, has violated union rights by negotiating with the union through employees instead of negotiating with employees through the union as is required by the 1975 Rodda Act. We met today with administration in an attempt to reach resolution in this matter, but the superintendents were “reluctant to admit that there had been any wrongdoing”. We have no choice but to file an unfair labor practice charge with the Public Employee Relations Board in response to these violations. It is our hope that administration will immediately end their inappropriate “direct dealing” to employees and come to the table to bargain with the union in good faith.
A further insult to employees is the repeated news items (Sentinel and KSBW) where it has been reported that "Santa Cruz teachers will be forced to take furloughs". This is just not true. We have a salary agreement and calendar in place for the 2009-10 school year.
Since we have not yet received the district's proposal in negotiations or completed our budget analysis, it is not at all clear that we must take this hit. There is still no state budget agreement and the impact of the President's Economic Stimulus Plan is unknown. Although we have requested data from the district outlining central administration growth over the last few years and await the information, first impressions are that the proposed cuts are not “proportional” as the superintendents state, but hit hardest those who can least afford a pay cut.
After receiving the district's bargaining proposal, your union will make sure that all of the issues are clear to everyone concerned, and that all options to the district's budget woes have been thoroughly explored. Your negotiating team will seek input from membership in the form of a survey before moving forward with negotiations.
Although the budget picture is grim, the possibility of a bright future looms on the horizon. Please be ready for your union's call to action in regard to the district budget and negotiations, the state budget, and federal action which has the potential to improve our lives.
Board Sets Target for Cuts -1/29/09
At a marathon meeting last night, our board of trustees authorized a $4,000,000 target for 2009-10 budget reductions. We have a negotiations session scheduled for February 9th to receive the district's formal proposal. Shortly thereafter, we will survey membership to see which of the options are preferable. Although there has been talk among administrators and board members concerning potential budget balancing measures, most are subject to negotiation or legislative action. We look forward to productive talks in the weeks to come.
Negotiations Update -1/26/09
Union negotiating teams are scheduled to go to the table to discuss retirement incentives on Thursday January 29. We are awaiting a negotiations date to discuss other 2008-09 topics. Union sunshined items include Grievance, Class Size and Catastrophic Leave. District sunshined items include Hours of Employment, Calendar, Extra Pay for Extra Responsibilities Positions, Restructured Wednesday Side Letter of Agreement, Santa Cruz High School Side Letter of Agreement, and Retirement Incentives.
403B Committee Update -1/26/09
The 403(B) - 457(B) committee last met on January 9th when it was determined that more information was needed before making a recommendation. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday February 2nd.
403B Presentations Cancelled -12/17/08
The presentations scheduled for the January 14th Board meeting by three representatives of 403B Plan Third Party Administrators (TPA's) have been moved to a January 9 meeting of a newly convened district/employee group 403B Study Committee. The committee will hear proposals by plan representatives and will make a recommendation to the school board at the January 14 board meeting in conjunction with the planned staff report. Your union still expects that there will be a change of third party administrators by March 1009 so we are recommending that employees who were put in the position of having to choose new 403B providers by Envoy continue to hold off on making 2009 contributions until we are able to effect a change in TPA's.
Board to Consider 403B Change -12/5/08
Due to a host of employee complaints concerning changes imposed by the district's Third Party Administrator (TPA) of 403B plans (Envoy - a Keenan Company) your union has been advocating for a change to another TPA. At the board meeting on January 14th, our trustees will receive a report from the district's current TPA. Your union has invited speakers representing two alternatives, a no cost TPA named GAB and a $2 per month TPA with absolutely no conflict of interest affiliated with STRS called JEM. It is our hope that the board will choose one of these alternatives providing employees with a much higher quality alternative to Envoy's services. We are recommending that employees hold off on authorizing a payroll deduction or 403B/457 contribution in January and February especially if they must choose a new product because their current 403B vendor is no longer available through Envoy. With only a 30 day notice required for a change from the Envoy contract, employees can look forward to contributing to their 403B and 457 plans with a new TPA as early as February or March!
Union Makes 403B Plan Recommendation -11/13/08
Yesterday evening your union furnished the SCCS Business Department and each school board member with a proposal recommending a change of third party plan administrator to the District's 403B and 457 defined contribution employee retirement plans. The TPA who we are recommending will offer a comprehensive list of providers (including Vanguard), more than one choice of 457 plan providers (without no conflict of interest), no monthly fee, and no delay in handling transactions (float). Under our proposal, the employee education component would be handled by a firm not associated with the TPA or any of the investment providers (much less conflict of interest). The ball is now in the district's court. If you are concerned about this issue, please contact Dick Moss in our business department and our school board members. The status quo with Envoy and its affiliates providing education, TPA services and the 457 plan is unacceptable!
Union Calls 403-B Meeting -11/10/08
Your union has been researching options to the district's decision to continue its relationship with Envoy Services, the district's 3rd Party Administrator of employee 403B and 457 pre-tax retirement contributions. Along these lines, we will be meeting with a consultant this afternoon. Envoy instituted a $3 monthly contribution fee and reduced the investment choices available to employees, effective January 1, 2008, to a short list, of high cost - undesirable options. Your union is committed to finding and recommending a 3rd Party Administrator alternative that will provide employees with better options. Please watch this space for updated information.
Adult Ed Faculty Ratifies T/A - 11/7/08
The Adult School faculty vote was unanimous, accepting the 10/29/08 tentative agreement for the 2007-08 contract year. The school board will act upon this item at their regularly scheduled meeting, this Wednesday night.
Adult Ed T/A 10/29/08
Your negotiating team and the district entered into a tentative contract agreement this afternoon settling matters for the 2007-08 school year. Upon ratification of the agreement by faculty and by the school board, adult educators will receive at 3.8% salary increase and eligible employees will receive a $100.00 per month increase to the district's contribution toward the cost of benefits, all retroactive to July 1, 2007. In addition to the above enhancements, all adult educators who must travel between classes scheduled up to an hour apart will receive a mileage reimbursement upon request. A ratification ballot will be distributed to union members this week.
2009 Raoul Teilhet Scholarship Announced 10/28/08
As a GSCFT member in good standing, your children (HS Seniors and Continuing College Students) are eligible for a CFT Raoul Tielhet Scholarship!
Application deadlines: High school seniors: January 10, 2009, Continuing college students: July 1, 2009
Download scholarship applications and flyers below.
For more information or to get a hard copy of an application mailed to you, contact the GSCFT office at (831) 425-8939, or call the CFT Burbank Office at 818-843-8226.
K-12 Contract Ratified 9/15/08
The election results are in.
98.7% of the ballots cast were for approval of the 2008-09, 2009-10 tentative contract agreement
Guest Teacher Agreement 8/12/08
Guest teachers ratified a 2007-08 agreement for a 3.8% daily and long term rate increase today. Enhancements to contract language include removing the limit on employees to membership in one bargaining unit and increased pay for guest teachers in Special Education assignments that include case management. The tentative agreement will be acted upon by the school board at their September 10 meeting and will become effective immediately thereafter.
Grievance Settled 6/23/08
We were notified today that the district has reversed its position concerning changes that it intended to implement that would have eliminated prep time for intermediate grade faculty.
K-12 Tentative Contract Agreement 6/23/08
Our bargaining team and the district entered into a tentative agreement (T/A) today for the 2008-09 and the 2009-10 school years. The agreement continues the salary formula and benefits arrangement for the next two years and provides a 20% increase for the hourly rate from $27.50 to $33.00.
Although there is no change under the T/A to the Blue Shield PPO, the Health Net HMO emergency room co-pay will drop from $50 to $35, the co-pay for home health visits will increase from $10 to $15, and the prescription drug co-pay will change from $5/$25 Gen/Brand to $5/$10/$35 Generic/Preferred/Non-Preferred. Most members will find these changes to be plan improvements.
The district also agreed to offer employees the option to switch to a Delta Dental PPO plan that has an unlimited annual plan maximum benefit. In the past, our Delta Dental plan had a $2,000 annual maximum benefit for folks who saw a Delta "Premier" Provider or a $2,200 annual maximum benefit if the member used a Delta "PPO" provider. With the new plan option, members who switch to the new plan at open enrollment and choose to use a dentist who is on the list of Delta PPO Providers will no longer have an annual maximum. The only down side to switching to the new plan offering is that if the member chooses to switch back to the old Delta plan they will once again have qualify for 100% coverage over a 3 year period (70% first year, 80% second year, 90% third year, 100% thereafter). For a list of Delta PPO providers, go to www.deltadentalins.com and click on "find a dentist", choose "Delta Dental PPO", enter a state and a mileage radius. The district will be sending out information concerning open enrollment in the near future and the plan changes will take effect on October 1st.
In addition to the above salary and benefits items, the T/A provides an option for Faculty members who are subject to involuntary transfer. Those subject to involuntary transfer will be able to choose a $300 packing/unpacking allowance or 2 release days.
We were also able to bargain an improvement in contract language concerning Professional Courtesy. Included in the T/A is language granting first priority for children of employees living within the district following siblings of currently accepted open enrollees. Permanent district employees who reside outside our district boundaries will receive first priority for their children under open enrollment after currently accepted open enrollees and their siblings.
We will hold a contract ratification election during the first week of September. Many thanks go to our negotiating team members and to each of the site reps for all of the good work that was done on behalf of membership over the last year. Enjoy your summer break!
Board Restores Positions 6/18/08
The school board voted to add back the equivalent of 5 full time certificated positions this evening. This will have a positive impact on staffing ratios and provides our HR department the opportunity to rescind most if not all of the remaining 4.9 FTE that were layed off. The additions total over $800,000 and include certificated, classified, and administrative positions.
GSCFT Files Grievance 6/11/08
The Federation filed a grievance this morning on behalf of elementary intermediate faculty impacted by a unilateral district decision to implement a change eliminating their release time. A copy of the grievance can be viewed here.