Janet Chin Recall Does Not Qualify

On May 2, 2013, 4866 signatures were turned in to the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder's Office. In order to force a Recall Election, 3856 signatures needed to be found sufficient. The final tally was 206 signatures short.

The results of the signature verification are as follows:

• Number of signatures filed  4,866
• Number of signatures verified 4,866
• Number of signatures found sufficient 3,650
• Number of signatures found not sufficient 1,216
• Not Sufficient because duplicate 105

The Garvey Education Association and the Garvey School District Resident's Committee to Recall Janet Chin thank everyone who worked in the petition gathering drive. 

While it is disappointing that the Recall Election will not happen, the groundwork has been set for the November Election in which both John Yuen and Tony Ramos are up for possible reelection. Bob Bruesch is also up for reelection in November.

We spread the word throughout the District about the Superintendent and the Board majority. We need to keep the message fresh in the minds of the voters until November.

Your work is both appreciated and not in vain.

To help place this in perspective, 18.9% of the voters in the Garvey School District signed the petition to recall Janet Chin. That is 3650 registered voters. In November 2011 Janet won a seat on the Garvey School Board by getting 790 votes.

The electorate is better educated and their voice will be heard this November.

GEA Officers for 2013-2014

The Garvey Education Association Representative Council met on May 16, 2013, and the following unit memers were elected by acclamation in accordance with GEA and CTA bylaws. Their terms begin July 1, 2013.

Congratulations!

Vice President - Pat Kasababian (2 year term)
Treasurer - Ken Tang (1 year term)
Secretary - Angelina Saulino (2 year term)
4-6 Grade Representative - Michael Kenny (2 year term)
7-8 Grade Representative - Pat Molina (1 year term)
Special Areas Representative - Rachel Reyes-Aceytuno (2 year term)

April 25th Board Meeting

GEA membership was out in force again at the April 25th Board Meeting. They were joined by several CTA dignitaries.

Leading the group was Eric Heins, the Vice President of the California Teachers Association.

He spoke to the Garvey School Board about the need to work together with the teachers. He also reminded the School Board that GEA does not stand alone. They are supported by the 325,000 members of the California Teachers Association.

Garvey School Board Meeting, March 14, 2013

Thank you to all of our unit members who came to the School Board Meeting last night. You presence speaks volumes to the School Board and Superintendent.

Thank you also to our union brothers and sisters from Temple City, San Gabriel and Alhambra for supporting us by attending the meeting.

At the meeting, Bonifacio Garcia, general counsel to the Garvey School District, spoke to the Board about the Political Activities of Employees. He stated that members of the Association have the right to post political material on the designated bulletin board in the staff lounge. Association members also have the right leave the union endorsed political material on the staff lounge tables. Placement of these items must take place during non-duty time. (e.g., lunch, before and after the professional work day) District mailboxes are off limits.

These statements align with our position regarding our rights. They are also contrary to Dr. Johnson's "Cease and Desist" order. We hope a withdrawal of the “Cease and Desist” order will be forthcoming.

Dr. Johnson asked some specific questions.

She asked whether teachers can wear “Recall” buttons in the classroom during instruction.

• The answer was no.

    
She asked whether teachers can wear “No Confidence in the Superintendent” buttons in the classroom during instruction.

• There was no answer. Mr. Garcia stated he would have to research the issue. 

          
She commented that parents sometimes use the staff lounges for meetings.

• Mr. Garcia stated that it doesn't matter. The Association members' rights remain unchanged.

We will keep you posted on any developments. Be sure to sign up for email notifications.

Rosemead City Council Election and Recall

    On March 5, 2013, the City of Rosemead held an election for 3 city council seats. Garvey Board of Education School Board Member Janet Chin was one of four candidates. Ms. Chin is presently the target of an attempted recall from the Garvey School Board.

   If Ms. Chin had won a seat on Rosemead City Council, she would have had to resign her seat on the Garvey Board. Ms. Chin placed fourth in the election and did not win a seat on the City Council. Steven Ly, Sandra Armenta and Maggie Clark will all be continuing their work on City Council as they were all re-elected.

    The recall efforts continue and signature gathering must conclude by May 2, 2013.

Political Activities

    On February 22, 2013, the Association received a "Cease and Desist" letter, stating that employees of the Garvey School District are not allowed to post any political information on bulletin boards or distribute any political information anywhere on school property, even during non-duty times away from instruction.

    The Association contended that the second part of the Board Policy, which is regarding "Employee Organizations" would be applicable to us and that we could post material on the designated bulletin board, and hand information to our members at lunch and at GEA meetings.

    The District is standing by their order and threatening disciplinary and legal action against violators.

    CTA has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the Public Employees Relations Board on our behalf.

    The School Board will be discussing the issue as an Action Item at the Board Meeting on March 14th.

Negotiations Update

    Since the beginning of 2013, the District and Association have had several bargaining sessions. During the first couple of sessions, the parties went back to using "Interest Based Bargaining." Mr. Bonifacio Garcia, the Legal Counsel for the District was no longer at the bargaining sessions.

    The District and Association did reach agreement regarding the 2013-2014 calendar. Orientation Day for teachers and staff will be on August 20th, with students beginning classes on August 21, 2013. Ground was covered regarding both salary and insurance, but information from the District was necessary to move forward.

    On February 8, 2013, the Garvey School District filed a Request for Determination of Impasse and Appointment of Mediator with respect to negotiations between the District and the Garvey Education Association.

    The Garvey Education Association contested the contention that the parties had reached impasse in their negotiations. Subsequent to consultation with the representative from the Public Employees Relations Board, the Garvey School District withdrew the Request for Determination of Impasse and Appointment on February 15, 2013.

    Notice of the withdrawal and closure of Case No. LA-IM-3757-E was sent to both parties on February 19, 2013. Negotiations between the Garvey School District and Garvey Education Association reconvened on February 26, 2013.

    The District Insurance Committee will be having several meetings with vendors during the month of February. the District Insurance Committee includes members from GEA, CSEA and Administration. These meetings will help to determine whether the District remains with VEBA or moves to another carrier.

    Some obsolete language has tentatively been deleted from the contract, and both parties await the second interim report, which is scheduled to be disseminated on March 14. Whether or not the interim report continues to call for a qualified budget, or now shows a positive certification will greatly affect the timeline of bargaining.
   
     The next session is scheduled for March 14th.