Seattle Council PTSA and Teacher Contract Negotiations
Via the SCPTSA Facebook page:
September 3, 2022: Request for Joint Statements of Fact
The Collective Bargaining Agreement between Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and Seattle Education Association (SEA) is an agreement between employer and union, but it has an impact on our students. The confusing and conflicting messaging that is coming out is causing stress, frustration, and an erosion of trust.
Open the Process, so that all of the information and negotiations are available to the public, so that people in our community are able to be as aware, or not aware, of what is happening as they would like to be.
OR
Agree to publish Joint Statements of Fact that are agreed to by both parties, and are shared out through both parties' channels. While we appreciate the efforts that both sides have made to share information, the contentiousness of this part of the process means that we are now asking for them to collaborate to state facts clearly, specifically, and jointly.
Our families need to make plans for childcare, food, and for supporting their children through the uncertainty of start of school during a Youth Mental Health Crisis. A timely resolution is in the best interests of families and students.
We call on Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle Education Association to collaboratively negotiate in good faith.
We call on the City of Seattle to please be prepared to support our families through this time.
We call on employers for their understanding and support of the uncertainties our families are facing right now.
We are here to support all parties in collaborating to help our families navigate this time of uncertainty, and to centralize information about mutual aid for our families.
Samantha Fogg and Erin Dury
SCPTSA Co-Presidents
President@scptsa.org
So the "open the process" will NEVER happen; neither the district nor the union would do this.
However, I think issuing dueling statements that seem to contradict each other is not helpful to parents or the public. So maybe a joint statement of progress could happen. The district now says the union refuses mediation and the union now says that the district didn't show up for a couple of negotiation meetings. Both true? How do we know?
Also to note from the SCPTSA Facebook page about office hours with the co-presidents:
Co-President Virtual Office Hours are Thursdays at 9AM on zoom. Live transcription closed captions as provided by zoom.
Comments
Perhaps realizing that SPS is the non-good faith party they're trying to rewrite the narrative with some astroturf...edu-turf perhaps?
Why not come back to the table SPS? We are waiting for you. Also, to reiterate the public call for the Principals Association to issue a separate statement on district proposals and delaying the start of school. They are also negotiating against the staff they are meant to lead. That's an untenable and toxic situation.
Theo M.
Same game every contract year. It appears that this year, however, SPS is far more brazen and determined to steam roll SEA and SPS families in the process.
In Good Faith
Samantha Fogg has been lobbying the state legislature for more money for SPS with a baby strapped to her since forever. She may be co-president of the SCPTSA, but it would be shocking if she were Chandra's lapdog. Maybe not entirely impossible. Could be a Colin Powell situation. But very unlikely.
Uncorrupting SCPTSA
Hot Air
The Wa. State Supreme Court told legislators that they fulfilled McCleary. However, many officials admitted that special education needed additional attention.
IMO, teachers should allow funding to go to students...this time around.
Been there
I think the latest MOU offering from SPS to SEA backs up your thought on SPS being determined to steamroll families and SEA.
Hot Air, how do you get away from PTSA? Do what several schools, including Ingraham High School. Create a PTO (Parent Teacher Organization. Then your group controls YOUR money and you won't have SCPTSA claiming to speak for all schools.
Good thoughts, Historian.