Union Official Reveals Story, Deal Points Behind Tentative Contract with Pasadena Unified

United Teachers of Pasadena Union president Alvin Nash has provided Pasadena Now with an insider’s perspective on the negotiations and deal details which resulted in yesterday’s announcement of a tentative resolution in the months-long contract deadlock between Pasadena Unified and its teachers.

Nash relates the following narrative and agreement points:

On May 4, 2016, the UTP and PUSD Bargaining Teams met for the Fact Finding Hearing.  A Tentative Agreement has been reached that settles the Contract for 2014-2015, 2015-2016, and 2016-2017 with one re-opener on Salary for the 2017-2018 school year.

During the Fact Finding Hearing, the District stipulated that its Article X (Class Size) proposal was officially withdrawn from Fact Finding consideration. Therefore, the District shall maintain the following District-wide staffing ratios for secondary counselors (Grades 7-12) 1:400, and the District shall maintain librarians on the basis of one for each High School, and one for each Middle School, except at McKinley and Rose City High School.

UTP stipulated that its Special Education Article proposal and its Appendix C (High School Coaching Assignments) proposal were officially withdrawn from Fact Finding consideration.

Thank you to all our members for supporting the Bargaining Team with their organizing efforts. Their efforts made the difference.

Highlights of the Tentative Agreement

1. Effective January 1, 2016, the District shall provide a 6.0% increase on all salary schedules contained in Appendix A of the Contract. Appendix A shall be updated accordingly.
2. Effective July 1, 2016, the District shall provide up to a 3.0% increase on all salary schedules contained in Appendix A, contingent upon the State Budget for 2016-2017.
3. In addition to the current provisions of the Contract, involuntary transfers/reassignments may be made for a legitimate documented program-related need.
4. The District shall pay any increases to Health and Welfare Benefits for 2016-2017 and 2017-2018, and the parties shall negotiate Health and Welfare Benefits for 2018-2019 prior to January 31, 2018.
5. The Contract for 2015-2018 shall remain closed, except the parties shall negotiate Salary for 2017-2018.

Ratification Timeline

• May 16 – Ballots distributed at the Rep. Council meeting
• May 23-25 – Voting before school, during lunch, and after school at the sites
• May 26 – Ballots returned to UTP Office no later than 9:00 A.M.; ballots counted; and results announced

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