Update from Bargaining
Monday, January 23, 2012
The team met today at the conference room in the 4-D building.
We appreciate the support of members attending Mike Druce, Carla Jeness, Lennie Yoter, and Katie Carmody.
We also appreciate the food and goodies from Natalie Kohler, Cathy Carrow, Stephanie Cox, and Tustumena Elementary.
Bargaining began at 1:00 pm with the district.
We began by discussing KPEA Sections.
Joe began with Section 112: KPEA’s new language to cover Type M “fractional positions”. The district said they need more time with this language.
Section 115: Initial placement on salary schedule. Joe shared an example from a counselor and the type of conferences that could be available for CEU credit. The dist is also proposing to move the date from Nov to Oct for transcripts. Joe mentioned the Anchorage (AEA) language that allows for contract adjustments every 30 days.
Section 120 Extracurricular Programs: KPEA mentions the lack of consistency in communication between the dist and coaches. Also mentioned we want the Appendix to be a published, accessible document.
Section 130 Reimbursement for Physical Exam: The district presented a counter proposal by bringing back status quo language for paragraph B and C.
Section 339 Automated Substitute System: Questions from KPEA concerning the AESOP contract. The district is wanting the language struck because we “have it” in place. The association is asking for language that it continue to be maintained.
Section 343 Donations of Sick Leave: Joe asks, what is the district’s objection to this language? Sean’s response is employees have donated leave and then asked for leave to be donated to them. They also said that since employees must use all of their leave (including personal leave) employees are exhausting leave and then asking for leave w/out pay to attend events such as basketball games. Joe reiterates that KPEA does most of the management of this program. He mentioned the number of hours donated in the last 3 year (804 in 2010, 568 in 2011, and 280 in 2012). Approximately 102 employees have donated to 18 employees. Only 3 employees who donated have asked for leave back. Two of those were only 1 day donations.
Section 405 Additional Educational Employment: The district returns to status quo and we TA current language.
Section 410 Involuntary Transfers: Sean says he will get back to us.
Section 420 Duty Free Lunch: Joe states that teachers do not get 30 minutes for lunch because they are usually still working with or helping students. Our proposal is to let the building administrator decide how to adjust their school’s schedule to accommodate this extra 10 minutes. Sean’s concern is the minutes would come from instructional time.
Section 425 School Closures: The district offers a counter proposal that would align this section to 470 Workday.
Section 460 Recall Rights and Tenure Acquisition: The district offers a counter proposal to add back some of their proposed language they had proposed removing in paragraph E.
Section 466 Specialists: The district brings this back as a status quo of current language. We TA current language.
Section 474 Impact of Class Size: The district brings this back as a status quo of current language. We TA current language. (Note: the dist proposed striking 466 and 474 because they were philosophical statements they did not feel belonged in the contract).
Section 480 Notification of Non-Retention: Joe states members go to the contract to look for options. Sean mentions that our proposal adds an added responsibility to HR. We are asking the dist include a copy of board policy in the non-tenured, non-retention notices. Sean believes this is KPEA’s responsibility.
Section 505 Information: The dist is waiting for the association to offer a counter proposal.
Section 630 Agreement Print Up and Dissemination: The district countered with 40 days.
District calls a caucus at 2:00 pm.
Back from caucus at 3:35 pm.
Joe clarifies the Sections we are ready to TA: 405, 466, and 474 (all back to current language).
Sean brings back information on the cost of the sub finding system AESOP. The first year cost is $26,000. The additional year is $19,000 with costs for staff training, etc.
District presents a counter for 410.
The Association presents counters for 425, 460, 505, and 630.
Joe mentions that dates for mediation should be discussed and put on the calendar. Sean believes this is premature as “we are making progress.”
Joe states that most of the “changes” have been status quo back to current language. Joe asks, “how many of our issues have you given counter proposal on?” Sean states he doesn’t know. Joe responds, “none that I can think of.”
Caucus called at 3:55.
Back from caucus at 5:00
Section 410 Involuntary Transfer the association signs the district’s counterproposal.
Section 460 Recall Rights the district signs KPEA’s counterproposal.
Sean said they would have counter proposals for the following sections on Monday:
115 Initial placement on the salary schedule
120 Extracurricular Programs
345 Unpaid Leave of Absence
505 Information
630 Agreement print up and Dissemination
Sean would also like to know the cost of our proposal. Joe asked Sean they break out the cost of their proposal (cost estimated to be 2.7 million)
A discussion regarding the agendas/discussions and how KPEA is trying to move forward. At 5:20 KPESA began looking at counter proposals from the district.
Adjournment at 5:30. Next session is Monday, January 30th at 3:00 pm.
View 01-23-12 KPEA Bargaining Update in .PDF
