Contract negotiations between the Arcadia Teachers Association and the school district have been postponed and talks won't resume until middle of July. Still at issue are salaries, fringe benefits and binding arbitration.
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.
Approximately 8,230 students will attend Arcadia schools during the 1980-81 school year. This is 432 fewer students than at the close of schools in June. There will be 30 fewer teachers.
Senate Bill 275 (Ding Bill), which provides for collective bargaining, binding arbitration, and the right to strike, is causing great conflict between the School Board and teachers in the Arcadia district. The Board has voted 5-0 to support the Winston Act and oppose any State legislation that would replace its provisions. The Winston Act was passed in 1969 and required that School Boards meet and confer in good faith with teachers in determining salary schedules, fringe benefits, and working conditions.
Thirteen negotiating sessions have been held since March yet the teachers and the Board of Education are still at odds. The Board is reluctant to give up its authority over the disputed matters of transfers, evaluation and grievance arbitration.
Tentative contract agreement was reached last Friday between the Arcadia Teachers Association and the school district following a full year of negotiations.
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 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.
The Board of Education voted to allow negotiations to continue to allow Creative Academy of Learning to keep its doors open. The private day care center is located at the Bonita Park School.
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 began picketing their schools to protest what they feel is lack of progress in contract negotiations with the Arcadia Unified School District.
Contract negotiations between Arcadia Teachers Association and school district remain at standstill, according to John Sinclair, Associate superintendent.
Contract negotiations between the Arcadia Teachers Association and the school district remain at a standstill, according to John Sinclair, associate superintendent.
City Council approved a $12 million general fund budget. The budget represents an increase of 13 percent over the 1980-81 budget and includes 9 percent pay raises for all employees (except police who have not completed negotiations).