|
Earlier today the Public Employees Relations Board (PERB) refused the Yuba
City Unified School District’s (YCUSD) attempt to deny teachers’ the right to
strike. YCUSD last week filed papers asking that PERB seek an injunction
barring the Yuba City Teachers Association (YCTA) from going on strike. The
district wasted no time in widely publicizing its filing, in what teachers
say is yet another act of intimidation.
“In trying to strip teachers of their legal right to strike, the district
was asking PERB to put its thumb on the bargaining scale, tipping it in favor
of the district. We’re grateful but not surprised that PERB saw through this
ploy and rejected the district’s request. This correct decision makes it
clear that YCUSD must stop treating teachers like tall children,” said YCTA
President Dina Luetgens. “We hope the district will work with the union as an
equal partner to settle this contract.”
Bargaining has been contentious between the teachers and the financially
healthy Yuba City Unified School District. Teachers say they are concerned
about attracting and retaining quality, qualified educators because so many
staff are leaving for neighboring districts that offer better compensation
packages. School started this year with 40 unfilled positions after 53
teachers resigned and 17 retired at the end of the school year. The
district has filled at least 10 positions by hiring interns, and teachers are
concerned about the number of classrooms that will not have fully
credentialed teachers.
“Teacher turnover hurts kids, so this contract must help this district
attract and retain quality people for our students,” said Luetgens. “There is
no more important expenditure than investing in a stable and highly qualified
team of teachers to work directly with our students.”
Teachers voted overwhelmingly in May to authorize YCTA’s executive
board to call a strike in the event a contract settlement is not reached.
“We are prepared to make this sacrifice for our students and our
community,” she said. “We don’t want to strike, but we will for our students,
our schools and our community.
|
& 