Negotiations Update

Aloha,

Your OEA negotiations team is pleased to report that, effective upon ratification of the Tentative Agreement signed today, all members of the Orcutt Educators Association will have equal Education Code rights “for purposes including but not limited to probationary status, discipline, reduction in force and dismissal.”

In addition, the Association and District agreed to a two-year trial of banking minutes to allow for a weekly hour of collaboration time at every site. Schedules will be adjusted to lengthen the school day by up to 15 minutes per day to allow for that hour, and that additional time will be compensated through a temporary pay increase of two percent during the life of the MOU.

This agreement will allow all of the contract improvements since 2012 to become part of the official Collective Bargaining Agreement, with an expiration date of June 30, 2015.

It is important that you come to hear the details, ask questions and do your due diligence as an OEA member, and vote at the General Membership meeting on Tuesday, May 12, at 4 p.m., in the OAHS Multipurpose Room.

Please feel free to contact if you have any questions!

Mahalo,

Monique L. Segura

President, Orcutt Educators Association

805-714-9861

Support Lucia Mar

Aloha,

As many of you know your OEA negotiations team and the District met with a State Mediator on Tuesday, March 17, 2015.  The issue that we are still discussing in this mediation is Equal Employment Rights for our direct hires to the Orcutt Academy Charter K-12 School.  At this point we are still in the mediation process and the process is confidential.  Our next session is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2015.  We will share information as we are able to.

Another important piece of information that I would like to share is the Lucia Mar Teachers and their fight for a fair contract.  At this point the Lucia Mar district is actively recruiting substitute teachers through craigs list, the community, Lucia Mar classified association, Santa Maria-Bonita School District, Orcutt Union School District, and other surrounding school districts.  They are advertising to pay those substitutes (those who cross the picket line) $300 a day.  This will surely affect all of us!

Please join me on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 to show our solidarity and support for the Lucia Mar Teachers! The community rally is 4:30-6:30 pm and the LMUSD Board Meeting starts at 7 pm.  Wear Blue!  Please see the flyer below with more details!  

Mahalo,

Monique L. Segura

President, Orcutt Educators Association

Call for Suppport

Fact Finder Report Does Nothing to Help

Aloha My fellow OEA Members,

I hope you are enjoying the rest of your winter break. I am writing you now to share with you the news about our two-year-old fact finding.

Fact finder, Bonnie Castrey, has issued her report, and it does nothing to help us find a resolution in our conflict with the District over equal rights for charter teachers. Soon we will post her full recommendation and our CTA staff’s response on the Association website, so you can read for yourself.

Ms. Castrey has recommended advisory arbitration as the final step in discipline and dismissal processes for charter teachers. Her recommendation is very vague, and actually could be interpreted as worse than the District’s last, best, and final offer. We made it clear in our response that the fact-finder’s report is full of errors and would be fundamentally unfair to our charter members.

Now the report is in the hands of the School Board. They may impose the fact finders recommendation; or impose their last, best and final offer; or do nothing and continue as things are. Whatever their response, we will continue to bargain for a settlement that is fair to all of our members.

Mahalo,

Monique L. Segura

President, Orcutt Educators Association

805-714-9861

Black Wednesday

Aloha,

A few updates and/or reminders:

1.  OEA leadership would like you to continue to wear black on Wednesdays to show support for your negotiations team and solidarity as we approach negotiations.

2.  Negotiations begin for OEA on Wednesday, October 16th.  I know that CSEA (the classified union) has completed their negotiations and are working to complete their agreement, but I do not have any specific details at this time.

3.  OEA would like to see your support at the October 16th School Board Meeting.  Please meet in the District Office parking lot for Hot Chocolate at 6:30 pm!  School Board Meeting begins at 7:15 pm!

4.  Liz Phillips is hosting two informal meetings with the public.  The first meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 14, from 4-5 pm in the Board Room.  The second meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 22, from 11am-Noon in the Board Room.  The purpose of the meetings will be for Liz to field questions and seek input on our school district from parents and community members.  Everyone is invited!

I just wanted to say how proud I was to be your Presdient last Tuesday night!  What an awesome turnout to a very difficult evening!  Please keep the support coming by attending School Board Meetings!  Everyone of your voices matters!  From the bottom of my heart!

MAHALO,

Monique L. Segura
President, Orcutt Educators Association
805-714-9861

Talking Points

Talking Points on Orcutt Bargaining

The following talking points may be used in conversations, letters to the editor, emails to board members or other communications.  This is to provide you with specific facts to use, yet you should pick from those facts and put them in your own words. 

·               In the past, even when negotiations were not completed, the District agreed to pay the proportional increase in health care costs.

·               In most cases, that means the District pays 80% of the increase and the teacher pays 20%.

·               This year, the District has refused to pay the increase for teachers and classified staff before negotiations.

·               The District is paying 100% of the increase for those who get 100% of their insurance premium paid, including Superintendent Bob Bush, three school board members and most administrators.

·               The health care increase this year is relatively small – about $70 per month for a family – yet it is significant for families who have already suffered from years of no permanent salary increase.

·               Salary Schedule Samples from Column VI Step 20:

2000/2001 - $68,250

2001/2002 - $69,931

2002/2003 - $70,586

2003/2004 - $70,586

2004/2005 - $71,576

2005/2006 - $72,916

2006/2007 - $77,015

2007/2008 - $80,815

2008/2009 - $80,815

2009/2010 - $80,815

2010/2011 - $80,815

2011/2012 - $80,815

2012/2013 - $80,815

Special School Board Meeting

OEA

Social Event

Tuesday, September 24^th

6 PM

(following School Board Meeting)

Me & Ed’s Pizza

560 E. Betteravia Rd.