MARCH 2018
Happy Spring! I hope you have a wonderful Spring Break.
I will be going to Texas to care for my mother and
attending the California Federation of Teachers
convention in Costa Mesa March 23-25.
PERB ( Public Employment Relations Board) Update
The Federation received word on February 5 that a PERB
Administrative Law Judge had issued a proposed decision
regarding unfair labor practice charges originally filed in
2014. You may remember that the Federation filed
charges against the District regarding 1) getting
information in a timely manner and 2) the District
restricting our First Amendment Rights. The judge ruled
that the charges we filed were "proven by a
preponderance of the evidence adduced at the hearing."
In addition it was stated that a violation of the EERA
(Educational Employment Relations Act) had been found.
What does that mean? It means that the District has been
found to have committed an Unfair Labor Practice. PERB
proposed that the District " Cease and Desist " from
violating our First Amendment Rights and unreasonably
delaying requested information related to Collective
Bargaining. In addition, Petaluma City Schools would have
to post a notice of the PERB findings in a clearly visible
location at all work sites for no less than thirty days. This
ruling is vindication for the Federation and the struggles
we have had with the District since that time. We were
hopeful that this decision would end an ugly chapter in our
working relationship with the District. Sadly, the District
chose to appeal this decision and in doing so, they are
spending additional District funds on their legal expenses
as well as forcing the Federation to do the same. In
prolonging this decision, they are signaling that they do
not want to move forward towards a better working
relationship with us. We have asked the superintendent to
reconsider the District's decision to appeal this finding. I
will keep you updated as we learn more moving through
the process.
Janus Update
Janus vs American Federation of State, County, and
Municipal Employees Council 31 is a case that involves
the right of unions to collect fees from non union members
for the services of collective bargaining. In other words, a
member could opt out of paying dues and still receive
most the benefits of being a member. The case was heard
at the Supreme Court on February 26 and could overturn
over 40 years of labor law. It is an attempt by some very
wealthy people to weaken labor unions. The Supreme is
expected to issue a ruling sometime between April 15 and
June 30. The current political make up of the Supreme
Court leads experts to believe that they will rule against
organized labor. The same financial backers of this court
case have put over $80 million dollars in a campaign
meant to further weaken labor unions by reducing
membership. Currently in other areas around the country,
they are actively trying have members leave the union.
Groups are calling and even going door to door in an
attempt to encourage members to leave their union. I am
not overly concerned about the effects on us. We are
united and I expect that we will remain so. Just know that
you may be contacted by these paid union busters after
the Supreme Court rules.
Negotiations Update
The Negotiations Team met last week to discuss the
results of the sunshine survey and begin the work of
writing our opening letter. This is the first step in the
negotiations process. Our Chief negotiator Suzanne
Garcia, made sure the team was organized and ready.
This year we are able to open the three Articles listed in
our contract as well as two other Articles. The results of
the survey will be used to determine what additional
Articles we will open as well as guide our opening
proposals. The top concerns of our members were
maintaining parity, salary, class size, and maintaining the
right to participate in concerted activities. We will begin
negotiating with the District soon. Remember to check
your personal email for updates after each session.
Union Blue Tuesdays
It’s time to wear your PFT t shirt. Beginning March 27, we
are asking our members to once again wear blue each
Tuesday to support our Negotiations. Wearing blue is a
simple and effective way of letting the District know that
we are united in our quest for a fair and equitable contract.
Contact your site rep or email me
at [email protected] if you need a T-shirt.
Catastrophic Leave
Our contract establishes a Catastrophic Leave Bank for
members with a serious illness or other emergency who
have used all of their sick leave. Each year, the District
donates 25 days to the bank. Our members donate as
well. We began the year with 99 days in the bank. We
have had several members in need of Catastrophic leave
this year. We are still in need of days. If it is at all
possible, please consider donating one or two days to our
catastrophic leave bank. You can find the form on our
website. Give your completed donation form to your site
rep or send it to the District Office.
In Unity,
Sandra
Happy Spring! I hope you have a wonderful Spring Break.
I will be going to Texas to care for my mother and
attending the California Federation of Teachers
convention in Costa Mesa March 23-25.
PERB ( Public Employment Relations Board) Update
The Federation received word on February 5 that a PERB
Administrative Law Judge had issued a proposed decision
regarding unfair labor practice charges originally filed in
2014. You may remember that the Federation filed
charges against the District regarding 1) getting
information in a timely manner and 2) the District
restricting our First Amendment Rights. The judge ruled
that the charges we filed were "proven by a
preponderance of the evidence adduced at the hearing."
In addition it was stated that a violation of the EERA
(Educational Employment Relations Act) had been found.
What does that mean? It means that the District has been
found to have committed an Unfair Labor Practice. PERB
proposed that the District " Cease and Desist " from
violating our First Amendment Rights and unreasonably
delaying requested information related to Collective
Bargaining. In addition, Petaluma City Schools would have
to post a notice of the PERB findings in a clearly visible
location at all work sites for no less than thirty days. This
ruling is vindication for the Federation and the struggles
we have had with the District since that time. We were
hopeful that this decision would end an ugly chapter in our
working relationship with the District. Sadly, the District
chose to appeal this decision and in doing so, they are
spending additional District funds on their legal expenses
as well as forcing the Federation to do the same. In
prolonging this decision, they are signaling that they do
not want to move forward towards a better working
relationship with us. We have asked the superintendent to
reconsider the District's decision to appeal this finding. I
will keep you updated as we learn more moving through
the process.
Janus Update
Janus vs American Federation of State, County, and
Municipal Employees Council 31 is a case that involves
the right of unions to collect fees from non union members
for the services of collective bargaining. In other words, a
member could opt out of paying dues and still receive
most the benefits of being a member. The case was heard
at the Supreme Court on February 26 and could overturn
over 40 years of labor law. It is an attempt by some very
wealthy people to weaken labor unions. The Supreme is
expected to issue a ruling sometime between April 15 and
June 30. The current political make up of the Supreme
Court leads experts to believe that they will rule against
organized labor. The same financial backers of this court
case have put over $80 million dollars in a campaign
meant to further weaken labor unions by reducing
membership. Currently in other areas around the country,
they are actively trying have members leave the union.
Groups are calling and even going door to door in an
attempt to encourage members to leave their union. I am
not overly concerned about the effects on us. We are
united and I expect that we will remain so. Just know that
you may be contacted by these paid union busters after
the Supreme Court rules.
Negotiations Update
The Negotiations Team met last week to discuss the
results of the sunshine survey and begin the work of
writing our opening letter. This is the first step in the
negotiations process. Our Chief negotiator Suzanne
Garcia, made sure the team was organized and ready.
This year we are able to open the three Articles listed in
our contract as well as two other Articles. The results of
the survey will be used to determine what additional
Articles we will open as well as guide our opening
proposals. The top concerns of our members were
maintaining parity, salary, class size, and maintaining the
right to participate in concerted activities. We will begin
negotiating with the District soon. Remember to check
your personal email for updates after each session.
Union Blue Tuesdays
It’s time to wear your PFT t shirt. Beginning March 27, we
are asking our members to once again wear blue each
Tuesday to support our Negotiations. Wearing blue is a
simple and effective way of letting the District know that
we are united in our quest for a fair and equitable contract.
Contact your site rep or email me
at [email protected] if you need a T-shirt.
Catastrophic Leave
Our contract establishes a Catastrophic Leave Bank for
members with a serious illness or other emergency who
have used all of their sick leave. Each year, the District
donates 25 days to the bank. Our members donate as
well. We began the year with 99 days in the bank. We
have had several members in need of Catastrophic leave
this year. We are still in need of days. If it is at all
possible, please consider donating one or two days to our
catastrophic leave bank. You can find the form on our
website. Give your completed donation form to your site
rep or send it to the District Office.
In Unity,
Sandra
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