Above: Jesse Aguilar, CTA Board Member, and Gina Whipple, TAL President
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Dear Members,
Your TAL bargaining team is pleased to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement with the district. Here are the details:
· 5.25% increase on salary schedule retroactive to July 1, 2023 for employees active on the date of the signing of the TA.
· 7.25% off salary schedule bonus based on the new salary schedule for employees active on the date of the signing of the T.A. for the 23/24 school year to be paid no later than 90 days after ratification by TAL and the Board of Trustees for all bargaining unit members active on December 6, 2023.
· $800 increase to the District’s health and welfare benefits cap, beginning October 1, 2024.
. Increase in longevity: 15 years increases from $2,000 to $3,000, 20 years increases from $2,000 to $4,000 and 25 years from $2,000 to $5,000 retroactive to July 1, 2023.
. Additional compensation (MOU to contract language): $1200 increase to Athletic Coaching Stipend, $3000 Athletic Director Stipend.
There was very minimal change to the contract. We clarified the language in Article X for the 3 minimum days for teachers so there is no further confusion as to when teachers are released on those days. Other language addressed was Article XXVII. It will now read “after serving the position for one term, a consulting teacher vacates the position, but may reapply for the following term through the interview process.”
The next steps are to have members vote to ratify the TA, then get board approval. At that point, the TA goes to LACOE for final approval.
In order to expedite the process, we will hold a general meeting on Webex this Friday, December 8 at 3:15 PM. This will be immediately followed by voting. Please be on the lookout for a separate email from me with the links and details.
Your bargaining team is very happy with the package we were able to get. We are glad it was a short cycle, and we look forward to entering the new year with bargaining behind us.
Thank you for your support - we appreciate all your pictures, texts, and emails!
Sincerely,
Bill Clark
Wendy Perry
Amy Knipp
Tyler Heckathorn
Jennifer Patterson
Gina Whipple
Your TAL bargaining team is pleased to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement with the district. Here are the details:
· 5.25% increase on salary schedule retroactive to July 1, 2023 for employees active on the date of the signing of the TA.
· 7.25% off salary schedule bonus based on the new salary schedule for employees active on the date of the signing of the T.A. for the 23/24 school year to be paid no later than 90 days after ratification by TAL and the Board of Trustees for all bargaining unit members active on December 6, 2023.
· $800 increase to the District’s health and welfare benefits cap, beginning October 1, 2024.
. Increase in longevity: 15 years increases from $2,000 to $3,000, 20 years increases from $2,000 to $4,000 and 25 years from $2,000 to $5,000 retroactive to July 1, 2023.
. Additional compensation (MOU to contract language): $1200 increase to Athletic Coaching Stipend, $3000 Athletic Director Stipend.
There was very minimal change to the contract. We clarified the language in Article X for the 3 minimum days for teachers so there is no further confusion as to when teachers are released on those days. Other language addressed was Article XXVII. It will now read “after serving the position for one term, a consulting teacher vacates the position, but may reapply for the following term through the interview process.”
The next steps are to have members vote to ratify the TA, then get board approval. At that point, the TA goes to LACOE for final approval.
In order to expedite the process, we will hold a general meeting on Webex this Friday, December 8 at 3:15 PM. This will be immediately followed by voting. Please be on the lookout for a separate email from me with the links and details.
Your bargaining team is very happy with the package we were able to get. We are glad it was a short cycle, and we look forward to entering the new year with bargaining behind us.
Thank you for your support - we appreciate all your pictures, texts, and emails!
Sincerely,
Bill Clark
Wendy Perry
Amy Knipp
Tyler Heckathorn
Jennifer Patterson
Gina Whipple
It is time to elect our president and secretary for the 24-26 term. If you would like to declare your candidacy for either office, please fill out the enclosed Declaration of Candidacy Google form no later than December 14, 2023. Only current TAL members in good standing are allowed to run for office.
Thank you,
Kym Sacca
TAL Elections Chair
https://forms.gle/6oZAqbXAN3A1TdNm7
Timeline for Executive Board Election
Alphabet for the 2023 election year. (Candidates on the ballot will be in alphabetical order based on last name using this order.)
FNUVEMDPRZCHSYOLJAKWXLGBTQ
Thank you,
Kym Sacca
TAL Elections Chair
https://forms.gle/6oZAqbXAN3A1TdNm7
Timeline for Executive Board Election
- November 30 Announcement of vacancies to members via email.
- December 14 Declaration of candidacy must be received in the TAL office or scanned to kymsacca@gmail.com no later than 4:00 P.M.
- December 19 Acknowledgement of declaration of candidacy.
- January 16-19 Preparation of ballots, voter rosters/sign-in sheets, etc.
- January 24 Deadline to inform chapter elections committee if candidate or designee will be observing.
- January 22-23 Distribution of voting materials to TAL reps.
- Jan. 23-Feb 6 Voting at individual sites.
- February 6 All ballots and roster/sign-in sheets must be received at the TAL office by 4:00 P.M.
- February 6 Ballots counted. Candidates will be notified of the outcome.
- February 7 Announcement of results. If a run-off election is necessary, this will be included in the announcement along with the timeline.
- February 20 Challenge deadline for the election unless there is a run-off.
Alphabet for the 2023 election year. (Candidates on the ballot will be in alphabetical order based on last name using this order.)
FNUVEMDPRZCHSYOLJAKWXLGBTQ
TAL is planning some trainings for members on the following topics: Bargaining, Grievance, Classroom Management. Stay tuned for dates! Hope to see you there.
Our October 10th training was canceled at the CTA office (1027 W. Lancaster Blvd) on CONTRACT OVERVIEW and bereavement law updates. New date TBD.
Our October 10th training was canceled at the CTA office (1027 W. Lancaster Blvd) on CONTRACT OVERVIEW and bereavement law updates. New date TBD.
CTA Classroom Setup Grant
Benefit Provided by The CTA Economic Benefits Trust (EBT)
Summary of Benefits
August 17, 2023
CTA Classroom Setup Grant is a special program for brand new educators to provide financial assistance towards the purchase of materials, resources, supplies, tools, and other educational instruments used by the educator to create and promote a positive learning environment in a classroom(s)/designated learning space(s). The program is effective for Employment Start Date starting June 1, 2023.
There are three eligibility requirements:
You must be a brand new Active Full-Time CTA Member in good standing who is a TK-14 classroom educator, including but not limited to virtual educators, special education educators, speech pathologists, physical education, etc.
You must have joined CTA for the first time as a California educator within 12 months from your Employment Start Date.
You must submit an application within 12 months from your Employment Start Date on or after June 1, 2023.
The grant amount is $300. The amount is not to exceed total actual cost or expenses incurred.
This program provides a one-time grant to reimburse or to be solely used to assist new educators in purchasing materials, supplies, tools, and other educational instruments used by the educator to create and promote a positive learning environment in a classroom(s) or designated learning space(s) for their students.
Anything else I need to know?
CTA Classroom Setup Grant application can be found HERE. If you have any questions, contact CTA Member Benefits Department at (650) 552-5200.
Benefit Provided by The CTA Economic Benefits Trust (EBT)
Summary of Benefits
August 17, 2023
CTA Classroom Setup Grant is a special program for brand new educators to provide financial assistance towards the purchase of materials, resources, supplies, tools, and other educational instruments used by the educator to create and promote a positive learning environment in a classroom(s)/designated learning space(s). The program is effective for Employment Start Date starting June 1, 2023.
There are three eligibility requirements:
You must be a brand new Active Full-Time CTA Member in good standing who is a TK-14 classroom educator, including but not limited to virtual educators, special education educators, speech pathologists, physical education, etc.
You must have joined CTA for the first time as a California educator within 12 months from your Employment Start Date.
You must submit an application within 12 months from your Employment Start Date on or after June 1, 2023.
The grant amount is $300. The amount is not to exceed total actual cost or expenses incurred.
This program provides a one-time grant to reimburse or to be solely used to assist new educators in purchasing materials, supplies, tools, and other educational instruments used by the educator to create and promote a positive learning environment in a classroom(s) or designated learning space(s) for their students.
Anything else I need to know?
CTA Classroom Setup Grant application can be found HERE. If you have any questions, contact CTA Member Benefits Department at (650) 552-5200.
CTA recently put out an advisory covering COVID related issues. In an FAQ section of this document, CTA Legal advises the following:
Q. What if I get COVID from an exposure at work?
A. If you were infected as a result of an exposure at work, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. Under SB 1159, an employee who contracts COVID within 14 days of being at the worksite is presumed to have an injury arising out of work for the purpose of workers’ compensation coverage, but that presumption is “disputable.” AB 1751 extended protection under SB 1159 until January 1, 2024. This means an employer may dispute that the employee’s illness is work-related, though the employer bears the burden of proving that the injury or illness did not occur at work. Generally, it is not the role of CTA staff or the chapter to advise on workers’ compensation issues, and workers’ compensation matters are excluded from coverage under the Group Legal Services (GLS) program. However, if a member seeks legal assistance in filing or pursuing a claim under the workers’ compensation system, the member can be referred to one of a number of highly reputable workers’ compensation attorneys whom CTA recommends.
If you have any members who have contracted COVID and believe that they got it at work, we can refer them to the Workers Comp firm of Gordon, Edelstein, Krepack, Grant, Felton and Goldstein. Our contact person at Gordon, et al is Erika Vargas and can be reached at (213) 739-7000. This would not be a GLS referral, but this is a firm that CTA has a long-term relationship with because of their experience supporting educators in Workers Comp cases.
Q. What if I get COVID from an exposure at work?
A. If you were infected as a result of an exposure at work, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. Under SB 1159, an employee who contracts COVID within 14 days of being at the worksite is presumed to have an injury arising out of work for the purpose of workers’ compensation coverage, but that presumption is “disputable.” AB 1751 extended protection under SB 1159 until January 1, 2024. This means an employer may dispute that the employee’s illness is work-related, though the employer bears the burden of proving that the injury or illness did not occur at work. Generally, it is not the role of CTA staff or the chapter to advise on workers’ compensation issues, and workers’ compensation matters are excluded from coverage under the Group Legal Services (GLS) program. However, if a member seeks legal assistance in filing or pursuing a claim under the workers’ compensation system, the member can be referred to one of a number of highly reputable workers’ compensation attorneys whom CTA recommends.
If you have any members who have contracted COVID and believe that they got it at work, we can refer them to the Workers Comp firm of Gordon, Edelstein, Krepack, Grant, Felton and Goldstein. Our contact person at Gordon, et al is Erika Vargas and can be reached at (213) 739-7000. This would not be a GLS referral, but this is a firm that CTA has a long-term relationship with because of their experience supporting educators in Workers Comp cases.
Set your ParentSquare messages to office hourse by clicking "My Account" and "Office Hours". If you are not comfortable putting your phone number in ParentSquare, put your school's office number.
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Please be aware that there are NO BONUS OR RETRO CHECKS FOR THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR. We have members who assume that these checks are issued every year - they are not.
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Members - your site's TAL representative is responsible for informing you each month of what we discussed at TAL Rep meetings. TAL Reps - please check your personal email for the monthly meeting docs.
2023-24 TAL Rep Meetings (via WebEx) @ 3 pm: 8/29/23 9/26/23 10/24/23 11/28/23 12/12/23 (in person @ CTA office) 1/30/24 2/27/24 3/19/24 4/30/24 5/28/24 (collect stipends in person @ CTA office) |
Board Mtg. Agenda click here
YouTube live broadcast click here Facebook live broadcast click here If you wish to make a comment, you must attend in person and complete a speaker card and present it to the Deputy Superintendent or other district official prior to the start of the main public portion of the meeting. Your name will be called during the “Addressing the Board” portion of the agenda and you may come to the podium to address the Board. Please Note: The main public portion of the meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. Unless you are commenting on a closed session agenda item, you will not be called upon until after 6:00 p.m. 
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What are Weingarten rights?
One of a union representative’s most important duties is guarding against employer intimidation, particularly during disciplinary investigations, where the employer may attempt to coerce employees into making incriminating statements against themselves or their colleagues. For union-represented employees, one backstop against coercive investigatory interviews is Weingarten rights. Named for a United States Supreme Court case, NLRB v. J. Weingarten, Inc., 420 U.S. 251 (1975), Weingarten rights have been extended to public employees under California’s labor relations statutes. Simply put, an employee has a right to request a union representative in an investigatory interview when the employee has a reasonable basis to believe that discipline may result from the meeting. The right to a union representative applies to investigatory questioning that is written as well as oral. Weingarten rights must be asserted by the employee — the employer has no obligation to notify employees of these rights, and employees may choose to represent themselves if they wish. Keep in mind that Weingarten rights only apply to investigatory meetings that might result in discipline of the employee. They do not apply to other types of meetings with the employer, such as a meeting where an employer is merely notifying the employee of a disciplinary decision that the employer already made. Once the right is asserted, an employee is not entitled to their union representative of choice. The employer may proceed with the investigatory questioning as long as another union representative is available at the meeting time. But if an employee’s preferred union representative is available, the employer may not insist upon a different representative. Additionally, the union representative has the right to sufficient information about the nature of the employee’s alleged wrongdoing before an investigatory interview takes place in order to allow for meaningful representation. 
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Thank you negotiations team for fighting for what we're worth! TAL supports you!
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CTA Enrollment: Enroll online, download form here, scan the QR code, or download PDF ------>
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California SB931 Deterring union membership: violations click here
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www.calcasathletics.com - $1,000 athletics grant for middle schools and high schools
www.calcasmusicartsgrant.com - $250 grant for all grades
www.calcasmusicartsgrant.com - $250 grant for all grades
Download your CTA. If you have trouble, please email membership@cta.org
Site Rep - SPED Cheat Sheet
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Ed. Code - Suspensions & Assault on Employees
48910 & 44014
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What Makes a Work Environment Hostile?
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Social Networking and how it can affect your life: |
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Our bargaining team met in August 2022 to prepare for negotiations in September 2022. Thank you team for working so hard for our members!
Black Tuesdays
El Dorado is united for school safety and discipline!
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Mariposa STANDING strong, for school safety!
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Lincoln united for safety in OUR schools, for ALL!
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Sunnydale: we stand united today for teacher and student safety in all schools!
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Sunnydale showing our support for staff and student safety.
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Joshua kinder representing!
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TAL stood in unity with PETA as their negotiations were underway!
