School, union at standstill

MAT-SU -- Tension between the Mat-Su Borough School District and Mat-Su Education Association continued to mount this week as the two headed into advisory arbitration. The union reported that a final round of negotiations came to a halt Nov. 12 without a settlement.

"We are extremely disappointed with our lack of progress and the district's lack of effort in the mediation," said MSEA President Barb Morris.

An MSEA press release dated Nov. 13 charged the district with a lack of commitment to the [mediation] process and said that the school district made no real attempt at a settlement.

But Kim Floyd, the school district's public information specialist, said both the district and the union tried to make concessions to reach resolution.

"The fact is that both parties made movement, just not enough," Floyd said.

A letter from Rick Oglesby, the federal mediator involved in last week's process, said both parties failed to reach "common ground."

"Barring additional information from either District or the Union negotiators indicating a change in their respective substantive positions, it is my opinion that further mediation prior to the conclusion of the completion of the advisory arbitration process would be futile," wrote Oglesby.

Despite the breakdown in negotiations, MSEA found reason to celebrate. The Alaska Labor Relations Agency issued a Notice of Preliminary Finding of Probable Cause against the school district this month, supporting the teachers' claims that the district was not bargaining in good faith. The notice said there is probable cause to support three of the union's allegations: The district violated timelines for choosing an arbitrator; the district notified teachers directly of a settlement proposal rather than communicating through the association's bargaining team; and the district provided a document to MSEA members that provided an incomplete picture of outstanding proposals.

"It's gratifying that the Alaska Labor Relations Agency agrees with us about the inappropriate actions that the district stooped to during this round of bargaining," said Morris in an MSEA press release.

The Agency also issued a Partial Dismissal, however, dismissing MSEA's claim that the district's actions dominated or interfered with the formation, existence or administration of the association.

Floyd said the district welcomes the finding and is looking forward to a hearing on the matter, set for Dec. 9 and 10.

"We need an independent third party to help us set the record straight," she said. "Now we can get an official ruling on our right to talk with our employees."