In this Parent newsletter we have:

• A Message From Our  President, Kevin Moretti.
• State Agency Issues Complaint against Chico Unified School District Press Release dated October 29th.

Help us keep our parents informed by forwarding this email to other parents using the link & at the bottom of this page.

 

Dear Parents,
CUTA has had a busy last two weekends as we have sponsored 4 Pancake Breakfasts, funded by our unit members' dues, to help 6th Grade Classes fundraiser for environmental camp.

We want to thank all of the parents, fraternity and sorority members and students who volunteered their time to help us out with McManus, Citrus, Emma Wilson, and Rosedale schools.  We also thank those who came down to get a quality breakfast, while supporting the students in reaching their fundraising goals.

I wish I had just as positive news on the negotiations front, but unfortunately, at our last bargaining session on October 31st, CUSD did not come with a proposal for a fair contract and we have now been certified to impasse by the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB). Also, see the press release below regarding an Unfair Labor Practice we filed with PERB against CUSD.

We are now in the process of setting up mediation dates, and would hope for a quick resolution. However, in my twenty plus year tenure here, CUSD has never made it easy. Instead, we must waste energy and time in seeking a fair contract.

If mediation fails, we are sent to fact finding. This panel issues a non-binding report. After the fact-finding report is issued, CUSD can impose its last best offer, and CUTA would legal to call a strike.

I want to make it clear that we are organizing our membership right now to AVOID a strike. No teacher in this district wants to walk out on students, but CUSD makes the quest for a fair contract taxing on all of us.

CUTA will be conducting parent informational meetings in the near future. If you are interested in hosting one of these meetings at your house, please let me know.

Thank  you.
Kevin Moretti

CUTA President

343-0226  

kevinmoretticuta@yahoo.com 

October 29, 2014  

PERB Action Charges District with Violations of California Law

 

CHICO - The Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), the agency that oversees public sector bargaining, has issued a complaint against the Chico Unified School District (CUSD) alleging district officials have violated state law requiring them to negotiate in "good faith" to reach a contract agreement with the teachers' bargaining agent.

The complaint, Chico Unified Teachers Association v. Chico Unified School District Unfair Practice Charge No. SA-CE-2772-E, charges that CUSD failed and refused to meet and negotiate in good faith with CUTA. Specifically, the District failed to offer counter proposals, failed to provide its negotiator with proper authority, and refused to schedule timely meetings to discuss time-sensitive topics.

Ultimately, PERB could brand the CUSD a "renegade" school district for its violation of law. Such a determination would give the chapter the right to call a "non-economic" strike in response to the district's illegal behavior. In such circumstances, a non-economic strike could be called before the completion of mediation and fact finding, two elements of a bargaining process that have not been marred by illegal district behavior.

"We are fighting for a fair contract which values education, students, and educators, which is ultimately an investment in our community " says Kevin Moretti, president of the chapter that represents more than 600 classroom professionals. "Unfortunately, the District's illegal bargaining behavior diverts us from our most important job - working with our students."

Moretti also states,"Chico students can't be first while our teachers are near the bottom in surrounding districts in beginning teacher salary and have had massive increases in out of pocket medical benefits costs over the last six years."

CUSD has failed to invest in teachers' salaries for over six years as CUTA has not had an increase to its salary schedule since 2007-2008. The district is at severe risk of losing highly experienced teachers and of being unable to attract and retain new teachers. Educators can earn thousands of dollars in additional salary by leaving CUSD and working in nearby school districts. "It comes down to a shift in their budgeting process. Instead of salaries existing as a "cost" item, they should be
viewed as an investment into students and the community as a whole," says Moretti.