Chico Unified Teachers Association
Chico Unified Teachers Association Newsletter
Member Newsletter

May 2013
In This Issue
President's Message
Bargaining Update
Political Action Committee Update
Organizing Update
Health Benefits Update
Contract Corner
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chicouta.org 

 

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Greetings! 

In this CUTA  newsletter we have:
  • A Message From Our  President Kevin Moretti--CUTA Teachers of the Year 
  • Bargaining Update
  • Political Action Committee Update   
  • Health Benefits Update   
  • Organizing Update 
  • Contract Corner-- Article 10 Leave Policies: Bereavement Leave 

Help us keep our members informed by forwarding this email to your colleagues using the link & at the bottom of this page.

 

 President's Message Kevin Moretti

        

  Kevin
   We would like to announce the Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year. All teachers were given forms to nominate an outstanding teacher based on the following criteria: Maintains and improves expertise in subject area, has respect of students and colleagues, shows leadership at the school site or district level, creates learning experiences for kids beyond the classroom, and has qualities that make this teacher stand out.
     A committee of 3 elementary teachers and 3 secondary teachers reviewed the nomination forms and selected Lorraine Slattery as Elementary Teacher of the Year and Liesl Jones as Secondary Teacher of the year.
         Lorraine Slattery is a fine Arts Specialist who travels to several different schools. As a professional artist with work in galleries and private collections, she leads other Fine Arts Teachers with curriculum development. Her dedication to professionalism has remained strong throughout her tenure with CUSD. Liz Albright, teacher at Little Chico Creek, wrote of her, "She is the real deal. She is so unique. She has such spirit and energy. She brings the best out of each and every child. She has them believing they are all artists."  Lorraine has also coordinated the children's tile art project now in permanent exhibit in Peacock Alley (between the downtown parking structure and Bird in Hand).
     Liesl Jones has the daunting task of being the librarian for the three Junior High Schools: Chico, Marsh, and Bidwell.  Liesl is a lifelong learner, attends conferences regularly, and shares this new research and expertise with her staff. She develops monthly lesson plans for each grade level and teaches classes in either the library or the computer lab. She runs a Love our Library (LOL) club at each of the schools and it is the most popular club at each school. She also teaches the importance of community service by regularly taking students to the Jesus Center to serve dinner. She has an uncanny ability to remember students' names and knows almost every student at every school.

 We honor these two exceptional people

Thank you.

 

 

Bargaining Update: Merilee Anzalone       
    

     CUTA is currently bargaining for two separate years at two separate tables: 12/13 and 13/14.

Regarding the Mediation and Bargaining process for 2012-2013

     March 6 was the last mediated session with Steve Pearl. CUTA made its proposal, and waited well over 31 business days for a CUSD response. Interestingly enough 31 hours before our CUTA We Stand United - Board Meeting Rally, Mr. Feaster emailed a 12/13 proposal to CUTA leadership.                 

     This proposal resembles the last offer they made in mediation which we can now discuss with members. When it has been reviewed in detail by the team we will provide an update for members and Executive Board. We are scheduled to bargain May 31 for a full day. There are no plans for negotiations through the summer of 2013. An earnest effort was made last summer and proved to be futile.

     Fortunately, the last two sessions for Bargaining for 13/14 have produced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Article 26 "how to break ties with members who have the same hire date." This tie breaker is utilized when the district makes layoffs and initiates rehiring. We are pleased that a set of criteria has been established and the lottery system will only be used as a last resort and third tier. The first level of ranking for tier one shall be determined by the date you first provided contiguous service to the district. This is known as your hire date which is different than your seniority date. Seniority date is the first date you were paid as probationary status. This MOU will be voted on by members when there is a tentative agreement which will need to be ratified.

     Bob Feaster resurrected two demands I responded to in person last September in his office. First, he wishes to have the public attend bargaining session for transparency of information and secondly, he requested meetings after the instructional day is complete, for example from 3:30-6pm. He felt transparency was needed stating the public is getting mixed information, implying Kevin's board report was less than truthful. Additionally, he stated that          CUTA was holding site meetings and having the public observe bargaining sessions would improve the flow of accurate information.

CUTA finds neither of these actions to have the ability to move us closer to our goal of an agreement and politely declined noting Ed. Code regulations which guide the bargaining process. The team was misquoted in Mr. Hanlon's email and never once used the term "illegal" in the recognition of CUTA's position.

     

Thank you

Merilee Anzalone  

Shasta Elementary 

 

 

Political Action Committee Update: Linda Serrato

       

      Sierra View hosted a lunch with board members on April 19th. Janet Fournier reported that there were some good conversations between staff members and board members and that they were glad that they did it.   Chico High teachers had lunch with Linda Hovey on May 7th.   This lunch also brought about excellent dialogue and will hopefully show our Board Members the issues we face on a daily basis.

     All our lunches have been quite successful and I encourage more schools to participate in the future.      

I am very excited to announce that someone has stepped up to replace me as PAC chairperson. Kelly Coombe, a teacher at Marsh Junior High School will be the new chairperson. Many thanks to Kelly. I'm sure she will do a great job.

Thank you.

Linda.

 

                                   

Thank  you.
Linda Serrato
Rosedale Elementary

 

Organizing Update: Bill and Jenn Flory

     Great showing at the board meeting!  Thank you to all of those who came, and to the others that were there in spirit but could just not make it.  As we looked around at our CUTA team, it was an amazing feeling. What an honor to be amongst dedicated professionals who are willing to step up and support each other in times of both calmness and crisis.    

 

     The shirts and buttons looked so great that we will be initiating "T-Shirt Tuesdays" to keep the momentum going for the remainder of the year! We will be ending this year STANDING UNITED, and that is the way we will begin again next year. Your choice of shirt color: green, orange, blue, red, black, white... is up to you. Just dress up for "teacher spirit days" - we will continue to make a solid statement. The CHICO TEACHERS STAND UNITED poster that is being signed to support our bargaining team can make a stop at your school for signing, just let us know and we will drop it by for the day.  Our list of Head Representatives and Site Captain needs to be completed and kept updated.   Your support of the bargaining team, crisis and one another is greatly appreciated.


Thank you.
Jenn and Bill Flory
Pleasant Valley High School

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Benefits Update: Rich Utterback
 

     The BSSP JPA Board of Directors met on March 25, 2013 to set plan designs and rates for July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014. The Red plan will increase 5.55% or $53 to $1,002. The maximum out of pocket will increase to $1,500 per individual and $4,500 per family. (Family is now 3 people). The deductible limit will increase to $750 per person with a maximum of $2,250 per family. 

                   

 

      BSSP proposes to mandate that all active employees complete the May, 2013 open enrollment process through the VBAS web portal.

      Paper submissions will still be required for employer verification of spouses' coverage in order to comply with policy 1.24, Phantom Coordination of Benefits. An annual certification of compliance with this policy shall be required from each full-time employee with a spouse/RDP covered under a BSSP medical plan, and who works and is eligible for medical coverage at their employment at a cost of less than $150 (previously $125) per month. Failure to complete the annual certification will result in a spouse being enrolled in a plan with a $1000 deductible and 80% member co-insurance responsibility, with no maximum out of pocket limit.

      Vision will see a 5% ($3) rate reduction, with the plan costing $17. The plan is for an annual visit with a $10 co-payment, and will have a reduced lens option, but will be offset by and increased frame allowance to VSP's $150.

      Dental will see a 5% ($6) rate reduction and cost $120. The plan includes 2/$2200 for office visits and annual non-orthodontia benefit, and 50% $2000 orthodontia for all enrolled.

      BSSP has begun the process of determining if it is feasible to open a BSSP Medical Clinic. Details are forthcoming.

 

Thank you.
Rich Utterback 
Pleasant Valley High School 

 

Contract Corner: Article 10 Leave Policies: Bereavement Leave
Joe Asnault 

 

Last month we looked at Personal Necessity Leave. This month's focus will be Bereavement Leave.

 

     Bereavement leave is granted without loss of pay for the death of an "immediate family member defined as: "A unit member's husband, wife, son, daughter, father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, father-in-law, mother-in-law, grandfather-in-law, grandmother-in-law, brother, sister, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, or any other relative living in the immediate household of the unit member. (10.1.4.A)

This article further stipulates that bereavement leave shall not exceed 5 days for any one death, nor a total of ten days in a school year.

Please remember, consult the contract online at chicouta.org or call the Kevin or Joe for clarification.

   
  
Thank you.

Joe Asnault

Chico High School 

 

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Thank you for reading this and staying informed.

 

Kevin Moretti, President
Chico Unified Teachers AssociationBottom