There appears to be some progress in contract negotiations between the Arcadia Unified School District and the Arcadia Teachers Association. Though officials were reluctant to talk about specifics, fear of a strike by the teachers has been allayed.
A new phase in Arcadia teachers' contract talks will begin as teachers and school district representatives meet face-to-face for the first time in several months.
The prospect of a strike by Arcadia teachers looms large, after negotiations between school district and teachers' associations officials broke off Wednesday, August 15. The negotiations ended after the 2 parties failed to reach a settlement on their year-long salary dispute. No new talks have been scheduled.
An overwhelming majority of members of the Arcadia Teachers Association voted Thursday afternoon to authorize a strike against the district, although no date was set. Eighty-four percent favored strike.
Impasse still exists between Arcadia Teachers Association and the school district following one session with a mediator appointed by the Public Employment Relations Board.
Protest by about 1/3 of 300 teachers in Arcadia Unified School District on stalemate in contract negotiations at school board meeting. ATA President Priscilla Tedesco and other teachers appeared before microphone to protest.
Arcadia teachers will file an unfair labor charge against the Arcadia Unified School District for "not participating in a timely manner" in a process of negotiations called fact-finding.
Arcadia teachers learned that their stalled contract negotiations with the district will advance to a stage called fact-finding (meaning an impartial panel paid by the state will judge disputes between the teachers and the district).
The Arcadia Teachers Association has filed charges with the Public Employees Relations Board claiming the Arcadia Unified School District has acted illegally in its dealings with the teachers.
Arcadia Teachers settled their year-long contract dispute with the school district following 2 marathon bargaining sessions. Now the talks must be approved by the Arcadia School Board and by Arcadia teachers.
A tentative 3-year salary and fringe benefit contract agreement was reached between Arcadia teachers and the district, averting a teacher's walkout that had threatened the district since January.
The Arcadia Board of Education ratified a new contract with the district's teachers by a 4-1 vote, but with some reservations about a binding arbitration provision (which would have district-teachers disputes resolved by a 3rd party). The contract includes a 10% salary increase for 1984/85 and an increase from a 177-day a year student school year to 180 days, along with lengthier instructional time per day.
Arcadia teachers have decided to give negotiations one more chance before walking out. The transfer policy is the stumbling block to the end of the negotiations.
The School Board has approved the appointment of the district's first group of mentor teachers. The 14 teachers, classroom veterans who lend their expertise to new and less experienced teachers, are named.
Little progress seen in talks with teachers. Neither the district nor the teachers, who are represented by the ATA, have moved from their original salary positions. District is offering 1% increase; the teachers are asking 8% plus 2% in fringe benefits.