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.