By Joan Garvin
Town Crier Correspondent
The Cupertino Union School District is battling the clock in its contract negotiations with the Cupertino Education Association, the local affiliate of the California Teachers Association and the National Education Association.
The last contract between the district and the teachers association was negotiated three years ago and expired June 30, 2001. Since then, the teachers have been “working without a contract,” which leaves the previous contract in force.
“On March 20, the district and CEA agreed that their positions were so far apart on so many issues that an “impasse” exists,” according to the district Web site. That triggered a three-stage process: mediation, fact-finding and post-fact-finding negotiations, which can take up to six months to complete.
Superintendent William E. Bragg said the current contract was settled under “impasse” three years ago. Although the rhetoric is higher this time, he is optimistic about a satisfactory agreement.
The CEA is pressing for a settlement before the end of the school year. Departing teachers must give notice by June 30. The CEA fears the district may lose young teachers without some assurance of a salary increase sufficient to support them.
Unfortunately, many districts statewide have declared “impasse” with a limited number of state mediators, according to Dorothy Brough, executive director of the CEA. Although both sides agreed to the status, they continue to work intensively on a contract. The negotiating teams were “at the table all today (Thursday), and made progress,” Bough said. They were scheduled to meet again Monday. Brough is optimistic because of the CEA’s history of a good bargaining relationship with the district.
Volunteer parents and teachers distributed fliers outside the schools’ property last week: “This is to let you, as parents, know that on April 1, 2002, the teachers of Cupertino Union School District will begin working only the hours required by their duty day.”
Carol Marley, CEA representative and a teacher at Montclaire, said the flier explained why the CEA activated the “work to rule” status districtwide. In effect, teachers will not work beyond their “duty day,” 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
However, Montclaire teachers pledged to attend any meetings which “directly affect children” even if they fall outside the limited hours.
CUSD teachers are “extraordinarily dedicated,” Marley said. “Montclaire teachers want to focus on teaching. Kids’ needs come first.”
Montclaire Principal Nancy Wood said she hopes “mediation brings both sides together with as little disruption as possible to preserve the learning and work environment here - we have a dedicated staff.”
For information, logon to www.cupertino.k12.ca.us. For information about the CEA position, call the district office, (408) 257-2122.
