Bargaining Update: Close, But…

Last night USEP instructional and SRP negotiating teams showed solidarity when refusing to sign off on the District’s “Best and Final” proposal.

The evening began with USEP teams passing proposals in response to District proposals passed before Thanksgiving break.

The District countered with what is termed their “Best and Final” proposal, which includes the elimination of the Early Retirement program on June 30, 2018 and provides pay increases averaging approximately 3 percent for the bargaining units. The major area of contention, however, is the District’s language to change the way teachers are paid.

While the District’s SRP proposal does not contain the objectionable language that exists in the District’s instructional proposal, USEP’s SRP team did not want to sign off without their instructional counterparts.

Both teams had hoped to be able to settle their contracts and were saddened that this was not a possibility at this time; the teams are evaluating their next steps.