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.
A small group of teachers, dissatisfied with an 8.5% salary increase, may go on strike. Both the Arcadia Teachers Association and the American Federation of Teachers local have disavowed the action.
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.
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 City is studying three major types of municipal bus services: 1. Fixed route system 2. Route deviation system (demand response via dispatches) 3. Subscription service.
A $222,000 study is underway to determine the strength of the Santa Anita Dam under extreme earthquake stress. The study is to be completed by February 1977.
Arcadia Police Department has received a grant of $142,286 to set up a trial traffic safety program. It is enough to purchase one extra car and pay the salaries of three policemen who have indicated an interest. The goal is to reduce personal injury and fatal traffic collisions by 3% each year.
The Planning Commission endorsed by a unanimous vote a specific legal definition of signs for business advertising. Such limits are seen by some merchants as being of questionable constitutionality.
Further restrictions go into effect on January 1, 1976 of public officials to insure that their meetings are open to the public. Complete details of SB 1 are given.
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.
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.
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.
Three new laws have been recently passed by the City Council: 1. Noise - aimed primarily to curtail amplified sound. 2. Garage sales - must be held in a rear yard and be able to establish title to the goods. No signs may be placed on public property.
3. smoking - banned in theaters, etc.