Pasadena Unified Teachers Demonstrate Again at School Board

More than 100 Pasadena Unified School District teachers kept the pressure on the Board of Education with a demonstration for a 3 percent pay increase at the Board’s meeting on Thursday, but this time their approach was markedly different than their “invasion” last year which shut down the proceedings altogether.

In November as many as 500 teachers stormed the Board meeting with unruly chanting and noisemakers. Shortly thereafter, the United Teachers of Pasadena Labor Union says its representatives successfully negotiated the removal of the cap on health and welfare benefits the district had proposed.

This time the protestors changed their tune by placing “settle” labels over each protestor’s mouth and wearing stickers reading “3%” and “salary” while standing in silence.

“Now they want to settle. It’s really offensive to me when I have asked them repeatedly for a comprehensive proposal. The contract closed on July 1, of 2012 and they did it today? Today they want to settle? What’s magic about today?” Chief Human Resources Officer Yolanda Mendoza said.

Mendoza said that the first comprehensive proposal she received from the labor union was on January 17 of 2014, now 18 months after the contract already closed. The district has offered has offered a two percent salary increase effective January 1, but the labor union wants a 3 percent increase effective July 1.

Negotiations resume Friday, January 31 at 8:00 a.m.

“We got criticism from the district about disrupting their meeting and forcing them to adjourn. We did not force them to adjourn. That’s within the purview of the school board to run their meeting, I can tell tonight they’ve taken other measures to make sure their meeting’s not disrupted. I think it’s a little strange they have three police here,” Alvin Nash said, the president of the United Teachers of Pasadena.

The teachers had anticipated police force and so chose to do an opposite approach with no noise to articulate the message in a different manner with stickers and silence.

“Last time proved to be successful. We rallied November 21, the next day we bargained and the cap was gone completely. Were at the point, its two months later and we need to get this done,” Nash said.

The teachers say they have not had a pay raise since 2007, well over seven years. However, Mendoza says the whole state of California has been in a financial slump without pay raises for teachers all over the state.

“They [the board] say its about the kids, its never been about the kids. It’s about their fat pockets and their nasty attitudes. There is money in this school district and we know it, and it’s time,” Special Education teacher Jacquelyn Bailey said who teaches at Norma Coons.

The meeting was scheduled to begin at 5:30, but the school board did not begin to mosey in until after 6:30 without any apology to the crowd.

“This is ridiculous they’re being so obstinate to us and now they’re being rude to these people that earned awards because they’re not even here on time. Talk about disrespect for everything,” Bailey said. “They’re so insecure they have to have the police here, it’s really over the top. They need to just meet us all the way and solve it.”

The teachers came despite the rainy weather and many of them battling various illnesses in the middle of cold and flu season.

“I’m here to have my benefits get settled and a salary increase. We haven’t had a salary increase in 7 years and its painful. I’ve got bills to pay and student loans especially that are outstanding,” science teacher Louie Brinker said.

Bailey said she works in a trailer that the floor shakes when she’s walking and has cockroaches.

“It’s pretty tough, but then again its special ed and I don’t think they give a damn.” Bailey said, “Maybe we do need to look for a different superintendent one who will support the school district. I think we need to. This whole city needs to say were tired of you Gundry. You’re not really supporting our students or us.”

The four selected speakers asked for the board to leave the teacher prep days alone and close the contract as soon as possible so that the health benefits will remain the same. The only obstacle for the negotiations is the amount of the pay raise.

While three police were present, no force was used and the board meeting proceeded with “business as usual.”

“Tonight it was very professional and they got their point across without anger. I think that speaks a lot. We ask our educators to teach our children to be respectful and they came to the meeting tonight very respectfully,” PUSD Board member Tyron Hampton said. “I’m glad they’re fighting for our children.”

Now the labor union waits for the negotiations.

“It’s always good to change up your tactic,” Vice President of United Teachers of Pasadena Karen Kobey said. “I guess we’ll see if it worked tomorrow.”