Two union organizations will begin negotiations with Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District for new bargaining agreements following a board of trustees approval last Monday.
The Newman-Crows Landing Teachers Association (NCLTA) and the Newman-Crows Landing California Schools Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 551 bargaining for a new agreement with changes after both organizations were at a standstill with the district for the majority of last school year. The CSEA got its agreement in June and NCLTA finalized its agreement in August.
Changes in NCLTA’s current contract compared to its previous include an extra $1,000 added in a teacher’s longevity stipend every five years starting in year 15, reducing the workdays by one day, classroom sizes and extended teacher pay.
The CSEA also saw substantial changes for its current agreement including vacation benefits for 12 month employees are earned on a fiscal year basis while benefits for 10 and 11 month employees will be paid off in their salary, stipends for coaching and being bilingual and a new article regarding personnel files. The article focuses on the district handling the files, information about derogatory nature and removal of written disciplinary action after two years.
Discussions surrounding bargaining negotiations began during a board of trustees meeting on Oct.13 when representatives from both organizations voiced their concerns about proposed salary schedules for the district superintendent and certificated management. NCLTA President Maria Andrade questioned how administrators could get a raise and said teachers were “asked to sacrifice.” She also read a letter from Elsa Juarez, a social science teacher at Yolo Middle School, which mentioned teachers weren’t buying insurance coverage for themselves because it costs $500 per month.
Brittney Clark, the vice president and leading negotiator for the CSEA, said union members have struggled paying their health insurance plans, groceries, rent and getting their kids clothes during this economic condition.
According to the NCLTA’s Sunshine Proposal, the union asked for changes to 26 articles including wages that address cost-of-living increases and regional retention challenges, health and welfare benefits, retirement incentives, hours of employment, class sizes and seniority. Jessie Ceja, the district assistant superintendent of human resources/support services and the lead negotiator for NCLUSD, stated in a follow-up letter to NCLTA that the district is willing to address hours of employment and class size.
The Connect reached out to Andrade for comment, but didn’t receive a response at the time of the story’s publication.
In the CSEA’s letter, the organization suggested changes to pay and allowance, health and welfare benefits, leaves and a new article surrounding the use of artificial intelligence. The district responded in a letter that it will address leaves.
In an email to the Connect, Clark stated that union members have felt that the use of AI has put their jobs at risk and believes “the human element is more important than the machine.”
When asked about how the approval of the salary schedules for certificated and classified management will impact negotiations, Clark responded the organization will focus on budgetary impacts of increases and are aware of the expense of having “me, too” clauses.
“Our expectation solely surround the need for respectful, honest communication, support of district employees and a sincere promise to put students first. We expect the district to come prepared for honest discussions surrounding need, support and respect,” she wrote.
