District, union reach agreement

PALMER -- Dodging a strike that appeared to be imminent, classified employees have reached a tentative agreement with the Mat-Su Borough School District.

Both sides announced Wednesday afternoon they had tentatively settled on a two-year contract based on the district's last best offer. CEA members will vote on the deal at an Oct. 12 meeting.

An advisory strike vote had been planned for that meeting, CEA president Sheila Dickman said Wednesday afternoon. She said she is relieved the months of strife between the union and district are instead coming to an end with a contract.

The school district's approximately 650 receptionists, custodians, teachers' aides and other classified employees have been working without a new contract since July 1.

"This settlement will allow the parties to get on with the business of educating or children," CEA said in a prepared statement. The union went on to say, "Because of the solidarity of our members and support of the community we were able to be successful in obtaining this two-year contract.

District officials expressed similar sentiments.

"We're pleased that CEA representatives accepted the first two years of our last best offer," Interim Superintendent Bob Doyle said in a press release. "I want to thank the bargaining team members for the district for their commitment to resolving negotiations. As a result, our focus will remain on our children, their safety and their achievement."

If the contract is ratified and ultimately approved by the Mat-Su school board, classified employees will receive 2-percent salary increases each of the two years; step movement each year, which equates to an additional 10 percent salary increase during the life of the contract; $1,000 longevity bonuses for those employees who have topped out on the salary schedule; 50 percent reduction of employee out-of-pocket expenses by health insurance to $600 during the first year; and a so-called "me too" clause that could result in additional health insurance contributions by the district if teachers were to negotiate a better deal during the term of this contract. The contract will also be retroactive to July 1.

The district points out that the terms of the tentative contract have been on the table for some time. However, CEA says in its prepared statement that the agreement is "exactly like the package CEA offered to sign six weeks ago."

The district counters by saying CEA did agree to a two-year deal earlier this fall but wanted to renegotiate the terms of the second year.

While the union and district say they are pleased with the deal and are focused on moving forward, it is clear the negotiations have strained relations between the two groups.

During the efforts to come to an agreement, the district and union went through mediation and arbitration. As talks deteriorated, both sides ran advertisements criticizing the other. Last week, CEA filed a complaint with the Alaska Labor Relations Agency claiming the school district threatened to fire employees who vote yes on an advisory strike, refused to negotiate in good faith and refused to honor signed agreements, among other allegations.

Whether that complaint will be pursued in light of the contract settlement will be up to classified employees, Dickman said Wednesday. She said it will be among the topics discussed at the Oct. 12 meeting.

"CEA laments the level of angst and the damage to professional relationships between the district and its employees this round of negotiations has caused," CEA said in its press release. "It is the firm desire of CEA that the months and years that follow will allow a rebuilding of professional relationships and a full restoration of the respect our dedicated employees deserve."

While this contract appears to be resolved, the district is in the process of once again opening negotiations with both its principals and teachers this month. The recently approved contract with teachers was for just one year.