Blog Posts - VTA

VUSD and VTA JOINT STATEMENT

12/8/2015

VUSD and VTA Reach Tentative Agreement
The Vista Unified School District and the Vista Teachers Association reached a tentative agreement on Monday, November 30, 2015 regarding Salary, Benefits, and Work Year. The Tentative Agreement has been ratified by the VTA membership and it will next be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval at the December 10, 2015 School Board Meeting.
Details about the Agreement include:

A Two-Year Agreement with no contract re-openers for 2016/2017
A 6% salary increase retroactive to July 1, 2015
2 additional instructional days will be added to the work year in 2016/2017, increasing the instruction for students from 180 to 182 days. A corresponding increase of 1.09% will be added to the Salary Schedule effective July 1, 2016 in consideration for the increased work year.
Contingency language for 2016/2017 that may result in a salary increase
An increase of $300 in the benefits cap from $10,800 to $11,100 effective July 1, 2016
Moving highly-qualified ROP/CTE teachers to the Salary Schedule from the Hourly Schedule
An increase in transferable service credit from 6 years to 10 years to attract and retain experienced educators. Current eligible employees who missed out on this benefit between 2005 and 2015 will be placed on the adjusted step as if this language had been applicable at the time of their hire.

The parties are pleased that this two-year agreement is good for students and employees, and allows us to focus on student learning to actualize our Vision, Mission, and Values and to achieve our goals as identified in the Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation.

Contract Ratification announcement

12/7/2015

Dear Colleagues,

It is with great pleasure that I am announcing the member ratification of the Tentative Agreement between the Vista Teachers Association and VUSD. Despite a very short window for voting you all stepped up and made it happen. It just goes to show, We Are Vista Educators and we can accomplish anything we put our mind to. The TA now goes to the school board for approval Thursday night.

Thanks need to go out to all of our members, because together we are strong and together we make a difference. Special thanks to Pat Eamus and our crisis team for all their organizing efforts. Thanks also to the bargaining team: Ron Ferreirae, Susan Martin, Laurie Kania Jim Ryan, Erin Dayus, Valerie Holseth, Reagan Duncan and Georgine Tomasi for countless hours and all their hard work. Finally thanks to the Site Reps for supporting VTA’s efforts. Our successful ratification vote couldn’t have happened without the tireless organizing they did at the site level. You guys rock.
In Solidarity,
Tod Critchlow

RESULTS
YES 965
NO 23
ABSTAIN 1

we have a TENTATIVE agreement...

11/30/2015

At approximately 5:30 PM, Monday Nov 30, 2015 the VTA e-board approved the Tentative Agreement reached today w/VUSD. The TA now goes to members for approval. Thanks to All involved. Your support made this possible. Details will be sent via email and voting should be completed by Friday.

If you did not receive an email from us, please click here and update your personal e-mail address with our office.

In Solidarity,
Tod Critchlow
VTA President

results...!

11/20/2015

VTA EDUCATORS ROCK
When your leadership asked you to step up you did.
Following your willingness to show up on a raining Monday night we ran the action vote for about 2 more weeks.
Here's the results.
So now we are looking towards trying to get an agreement. Your bargaining team is still working and talking.
There will be a board meeting on Dec 10 and mediation will be on Dec 14.
Stay strong.
Enjoy your holiday.
Be safe and come back rested.
Stay tuned for next steps.
In Solidarity,
Tod
Yes - 851
No -- 44

update & voting

11/3/2015

VTA's Bargaining team met today with the mediator. We've scheduled a third session for Dec. 14th to continue negotiations. We thank you for your support last night at the strike authorization vote. If you weren't able to vote last night please stop in the VTA office(2141 Industrial Court, Suite C, Vista, 92081) tomorrow, Wednesday 2:30-5pm or this Friday 2:30-5pm....or Thursday at Temple Heights 3:15-4:45 in room 123.

-VTA Bargaining Team

Bargaining update

10/21/2015

VTA’s Bargaining team met with the mediator today. We’ve scheduled a second session for Nov. 3 to continue negotiations. We thank you for your support with the Wednesday blackout/eclipse! Expect to see more action and requests to participate in crisis events and meetings in the upcoming week. Be on the lookout for more information!

Sincerely,

VTA Bargaining Team

VTA Declared Impasse

9/1/2015

$20.8 Million. That’s the amount of new money that VUSD is receiving from the State of California and yet they are only offering the Teachers of Vista, $2.5. Does that sound like a fair share? VTA DECLARED IMPASSE today after receiving VUSD’s latest offer.

Comparison

9/1/2015

Bargaining Update

8/12/2015

In order to reach a bargaining agreement with VUSD, VTA made an offer to VUSD on June 24, 2015. The highlights of our offer follow.

A salary increase of 6% effective July 1, 2015.
An additional one-time payment of 3% to be included in the Oct 30, 2015 paycheck.
A Me-Too clause.
Highly Qualified ROP/CTE teachers will be placed on the Certificated Salary Schedule.
New teachers will receive 10 years of service credit and this will be retroactive to 2005.
A change in the Salary Schedule to replace columns A, B and C with G, H and I.
An additional $600 per member for medical, dental, vision and life insurance.
Contingency language to re-negotiate if VUSD receives an appreciable increase in funding.
In addition, teachers will be paid for 2 additional PD days paid at the per diem rate.

As further information becomes available we will be sure to keep you informed. I hope you are having a great summer.

Sincerely,

Tod Critchlow
President

bargaining update

5/28/2015

VTA declared Impasse after the last bargaining session in April because the District twice offered a 0% raise. This was after the Governor’s January budget proposal meant that VUSD would get an additional $13.5 million in revenue for 2015-2016. PERB (Public Employees Relations Board) denied our impasse request and said we had to go back to the table after the Governor’s May Budget Revise. The Governor’s May Revise changed the additional new funding for VUSD to $20 Million in ongoing money, plus over $12 million in one-time money.

Today (5/27) the VTA and VUSD bargaining teams met to continue discussions. The current negotiations are centered around salary and benefits. The coming year promises to deliver a windfall of new money to VUSD. The district is expected to see over $20 million dollars in new ongoing revenue. Yet despite this VUSD offered their teachers only a 1% raise with an additional 1% in the form of 2 professional development days if the LCAP is approved. VTA knows that with the $20 million in new ongoing revenue, $12 million in one-time revenue, and over $45 million in reserves that VUSD can afford our previous proposal of 7% in salary increase and additional money towards the rising cost of benefits.

Today the district did not respond to VTAs other offers and requested more time. They will respond after the next meeting of the School Board on June 18. Please continue to check your personal emails and the VTA Webpage and Support VUSD Teachersfacebook page to stay informed over the summer.

Tod Critchlow
President Elect
Vista Teachers Association