The California Teachers Association has advised the Arcadia Teachers Association to reopen negotiations on salaries for the current year. The 3-year Arcadia contract has no provision for increases in local teachers' salaries.
The Arcadia Teachers Association (ATA) as an affiliate of the California Teachers Association and the NEA was for many years considered the bulwark of professionalism in Arcadia. Now the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has gained important inroads.
Arcadia teachers picketed the open house at Arcadia High School to protest the 1978-79 raise offered by the Arcadia Board of Education. The teachers claim they received a 3.5% salary adjustment (vs. the average San Gabriel Valley increase of 5.5%) while the Board claims a 5% increase retroactive to December 1, 1978.
The School Board has passed and adopted a new teachers salary schedule for 1975-76. The teachers unions have not yet ratified the agreement. Salaries range from $9553 for a first year teacher to $19,918 for a teacher with extra college credits, including an MA.
The Arcadia Teachers Association has objected to the Board of Education's counterproposals to the teachers' contract proposals. Article indicates what the proposals of both groups are.
With the tax base increase having been approved by the voters on April 15, both Unions representing teachers in Arcadia presented new contract terms to the School Board.
Salary negotiations are still underway with teachers insisting that no strike is planned. Specific salaries are given for various levels: 1. beginning - $9012 2. average - $14,254 3. maximum with masters degree after 14 years - $18,589
Thirty-two first year teachers and various administrators have received notices that they may not be rehired. If a revenue increase fails in the April 1975 election, Arcadia will be $1 million short.
Some teachers began picketing in front of the district offices. At issue were charges of stalling on negotiations and the 1% increase offer by the School Board which the teachers called "an insult." Superintendent Ed Ryan said that if the two unions had been able to get together on their demands the problem might have been resolved by now.
Both the teachers and the Arcadia Board of Education ratified an existing contract, with some changes agreed upon by all involved. Salaries were excluded from discussion due to Prop. 13. The contract extends through June 30, 1980.
The California Teachers Association has filed charges with the Public Employees Relations Board against 16 area schools including Monrovia, Arcadia and Duarte. The charges relate to actions taken as a result of Proposition 13.
The Arcadia Teachers' Association and the Arcadia School Board have tentatively agreed to resolve unfair labor practices complaints following an informal hearing at the Los Angeles office of the Public Employees Relations Board.
The local chapter of the California School Employees Association has made an initial proposal to the Arcadia Board of Education. The CSEA chapter is requesting a 21.5% raise in salaries.
The Arcadia Police Department has decided against a strike at this time, but vowed to fight City Hall over a contract dispute. A 5% salary increase was approved, but not the extensive retirement benefits which were sought.