STA Negotiation Archives

2002 and 2003 were trying times for the STA. Contract after contract expired and, despite valiant efforts by all the negotiation teams, eventually fell to impasse. Finally in December 2003, all expired agreements were settled (or so we thought). Below are several articles outlining some of the difficult issues faced throughout the past two years. The successful and historic resolution of these negotiations stand as a testament to the determination and unity demonstrated by the membership of this union. Solidarity forever.

Implementation Disputes
Impasse: What's It all About?
Why aren't our contracts settled?
What are our goals in these negotiations?

STA and the SCSD have disputes regarding the implementation of the Unit 1 contract. These salary related issues have resulted in the delay of proper salary payments to hundreds of members. The STA has filed the necessary grievances to recover members' money and to prevent this from continuing.

The Stage 3 hearing with the school board is scheduled for later this month. Prior to that STA and district officials will meet in a final effort to litigate as few issues as possible.

Salary
Steps — years of credited service for every year you complete- check your data profile (received Monday, 9/13)
Anniversary date — the district is now going back decades to change members' anniversary dates. STA is working to hold members harmless for the district's past decisions.

Column movement — number of graduate/inservice hours credited. STA and SCSD never discussed reducing the number of credited hours (108). Off-step members still accrue credit up through 108. Still not corrected.

SCSD didn't apply the proper "fix" — 5 separate “fixes” were applied to salaries in order to get everyone an adequate raise. The district has not applied all of these in the proper manner.

Deducted stipends (tenure, 8 year and 15 year) —the amount of stipends earned in 2002-03 were deducted from people's retro checks. SCSD did not propose a “fix” that would account for this interpretation of our agreement. Still not corrected.

Off-Step Degree Stipend increases — still disputed
National Board Certification (as well as ASHA and NBCC) stipends — not yet applied

Health care:
Extra Deductions —SCSD changed the manner in which it treated payments made in June for the summer months. STA disagrees with this interpretation as no language was proposed for taking payments made in June. Still not corrected.
Correct level of premium — SCSD is calculating the premium level based on June 30th salaries. Still not corrected.
Couple's premiums — the agreement is that each member will be charged her/his proper level of premium. Still not corrected.

Coaching Pay
Retro for 2003-04 for fall season is owed. Still not corrected.

Percentages for modified and assistant JV from 34% to 50% and 50% to 65% respectively. STA made an error in the tentative document draft. SCSD agreed to the changes and now disputes that agreement.

Overpayments by the district have been reported. If you were, in fact, overpaid the district must recover these funds in a legal manner. This means that they cannot seize payments but must either have you enter into an agreement voluntarily or take you to court. They have been warned not to take monies without your express written consent. Please consult with STA prior to signing such a consent form.

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Page Updated: 12.5.04