The District, VESPA, and VUEA met again on Oct. 13 to continue working towards an agreement in negotiations efforts. While we did not make as much progress as hoped, the District remains committed to reaching an agreement with VUEA and VESPA that is fiscally sustainable and allows us to retain and attract qualified and talented personnel this year and in the future.
VUSD Proposal #1- 10/13/22
The District began negotiations with a counteroffer to VUEA's and VESPA's offers from Sept. 30, 2022. That counter included the following:
1. If both VUEA and VESPA agree to allow the District to change the current Group Purchasing Organization ("GPO") to a GPO of the District's choice, the District will:
a. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, pay for the cost of health and welfare benefits for each full-time unit member, up to $19,600.
b. Further, the District will increase compensation on the current 2021-2022 salary schedule by 6%, effective July 1, 2022.
2. Fully fund step and column increases for the 2022-23 school year.
The full proposal can be found here .
VUEA's Counter Proposal- 10/13/22
VUEA then countered, and that included:
1. On-schedule 11.5% salary increase, retro to 7/1/22.
2. In addition, the District will continue to fund step and column advancement for the total cost of $611,181 or 1.04%
3. Effective July 1, 2022, the District's contribution to the cost of employee Health and Welfare benefits for employees who work 80% or more shall be increased by $1,320. The 2022-23 contribution agreement will increase from $18, 228 to $19,548.
4. Fully funded health and welfare benefits for the 2022-23 school year.
The full proposal can be found here.
VESPA's Counter Proposal- 10/13/22
VESPA also countered and that proposal included:
1. 11.5% increase on-schedule, retro to 7/1/22.
2. The District will continue to fund step (and column) advancement on the salary schedule for the 2022-23 school year which is equal to approximately 1.69 % of total VESPA salary costs; $498,196.
3. Effective July 1, 2022, the District will continue to fully fund the cost of employee Health and Welfare benefits for full-time employees. District contribution shall be increased by $1,320. The 2022-23 contribution agreement will increase from $18, 228 to $19,548.
4. Fully funded health and welfare benefits for the 2022-23 school year.
The full proposal can be found here.
VUSD Proposal #2- 10/13/22
The District responded to VUEA and VESPA's counter proposal. The adjustment to the language in the second offer was made per the request of VESPA and VUEA. This next proposal included:
1. Effective July 1, 2022, the District will increase the current 2021-2022 salary schedules for each bargaining unit by 3%.
2. The Parties agree to change the current Group Purchasing Organization (“GPO”) effective July 1, 2023, to CSEBO, until the Parties meet and negotiate a future change to the GPO. The Parties also agree that effective with the 2023-2024 school year, the District will pay an employer contribution of $19,600 towards the cost of health and welfare benefits for each full-time unit member. Unit members will be responsible for the cost of any premium costs above the employer contribution, except as provided below.
a. With these agreed upon changes, the District agrees to increase the salary schedule by an additional 3% of the 2021-2022 salary schedule, effective July 1, 2022.
b. Further, in the event that unit members who remain in their same or equivalent health benefit plan and are required to pay an employee contribution for the 2023-2024 year, the District agrees to pay the employee’s portion of premium contribution. (Note: If an employee changes from their existing or equivalent plan to an improved plan that exceeds the employer’s contribution, the District is not required to pay the employees contribution.)
The full proposal can be found here.
VUEA, VESPA, and the District are scheduled to meet again on Nov. 9.