The administrators’ weekly newsletter puts the proposed new contract between UTLA and LAUSD into pretty fair perspective with the least amount of drama.
from the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles Weekly Update | Week of April 27, 2015 | http://bit.ly/1FkqXV4
23 APRIL 2015 :: The Los Angeles Unified School District and United Teachers Los Angeles reached a tentative agreement in contract negotiations on Friday, April 17, 2015.
The agreement must be approved by both the LAUSD Board of Education and the UTLA membership.
●●smf: The Board approved the deal unanimously on Tuesday. UTLA rank+file vote between May 1 – 7. If ratified, the Board of Education will ratify at their meeting on May 12.
The parties agreed on a three-year, $607 million dollar contract that includes a multitiered evaluation system, summer school, reduced class sizes in 8th and 9th grade English/Language Arts and mathematics classes, increased counseling services and a multiyear salary structure.
The agreement was reached after seven months of sometimes contentious negotiations and a declaration of impasse, initiated by UTLA, which led to mediation and a successful agreement. Both sides expressed pleasure that an agreement had been reached.
A 10.36 percent salary increase covering several years is part of the agreement. Details may be found in the second bullet below.
According to the District’s press release, the following are the key components of the agreement:
- A 3-year agreement covering 2014-2017 with limited reopeners in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 which includes a salary reopener.
- A 4% on-schedule salary increase effective July 1, 2014; a 2% on-schedule salary increase effective January 1, 2015; a 2% on-schedule salary increase effective July 1, 2015, and a 2% on-schedule salary increase effective January 1, 2016.
- A 3-level final evaluation system, which will allow for additional flexibilities through the CORE Waiver.
- Additionally, a joint committee will be created with the certificated bargaining units to help with the development of the improvements to the teacher evaluation system.
- $13 million for class size reduction to English Language Arts and Math in grades 8-9.
- An additional $13 million will be provided to increase secondary school counseling services.
- Continued protections for the District for budgetary uncertainties.
- A class size committee to explore options and strategies for further reducing class sizes.
- A more efficient grievance processing system that requires informal discussion prior to the filing of a grievance.
- Additional leave options to promote wellness among employees.
- Greater collaboration with UTLA in the assignment process.
- Substitutes will be provided additional rights to a meeting with representation.
WHAT ABOUT ‘ME TOO’?
AALA members are aware of the “me too” clause in the contractual agreements between AALA ( and other bargaining units) and LAUSD that allows a union the opportunity to reopen salary negotiations should the Board approve a higher raise for another union. In light of the agreement with UTLA, Dr. Judith Perez, AALA President, sent the following communication to Vivian Ekchian, LAUSD Chief Labor Negotiator:
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Members should be advised that before any negotiations between AALA and the District can begin, the ratification of the District’s agreement with UTLA must take place. According to staff in the Office of Labor Relations, UTLA members will vote on the proposed agreement between May 1 – 7. Votes will be tallied and announced on May 8, 2015. If ratified, the Board of Education will consider it for adoption at their meeting on May 12, 2015, and since all Board Members have voiced support for the agreement, we assume it will pass. Once adopted, AALA can initiate the formal negotiation process with the District which should result in administrators being offered a salary agreement that is on par with their colleagues in UTLA.
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