Dear Educators,
Thank you to everyone who attended today’s bargaining session. Today, your CTA Bargaining Team met with the District to present proposals focused on improving working conditions, protecting educators, and supporting student success. These proposals are rooted in the real experiences and feedback of our members.
You can view the full presentation HERE.
We want to hear from you! Please share your feedback or stories about the proposals. These stories can help us provide additional context for the proposals. Click HERE to access the form. Your input ensures your voice is heard at the table.
Here’s a quick summary of the key items presented:
- False Claims
- Teachers will not be reassigned to students who make proven false accusations, helping protect emotional safety and restore trust.
- Classroom Conditions & Temperature
- The District must quickly address hazards like mold, pests, or extreme temperatures. Classrooms must remain between 68°F–79°F or staff/students must be moved or a portable AC unit provided.
- Walkthrough Limits
- To protect instructional time, non-emergency district walkthroughs are limited to once every two weeks unless mutually agreed. Feedback must be constructive and documented.
- School Climate Accountability
- Union-designed climate surveys would have triggers for a school being deemed a “Climate Intervention School” based on survey results or high staff turnover. Administrators would receive coaching when needed.
- Artificial Intelligence Protections
- The District must notify and bargain before introducing or expanding AI tools. AI cannot be used in evaluations or to override teacher judgment. Privacy and data protection are included.
- Planning Time for Non-Classroom Teachers
- Non-classroom educators must receive a daily scheduled planning time (coordinated during preplanning). If missed, a makeup must be provided within five duty days.
- Extra Workload/Caseload Compensation
- If a teacher provides coverage more than three times in a month, or if a non-classroom educator takes on additional caseload or responsibilities due to another employee’s absence, they will be compensated at the absent employee’s hourly rate.
- Balanced Workload
- Students with IEPs, EP, 504s, ESOL/ELL, or behavioral plans must be assigned equitably across teachers.
- Guaranteed 30-Minute Lunch
- The proposal changes the lunch time for all members of the bargaining unit from 25 to 30 minutes.
- Protected End-of-Year Planning Day
- No meetings or trainings will be held on the last Wednesday before summer break, allowing teachers time to plan, grade, and close out the year.
As a reminder, all proposals were created from member concerns submitted through the bargaining suggestion form and then multiple groups met to work through identifying which articles to open. The expanded “Bargaining Committee” met to go through suggestions along with Association Reps, multiple subgroups, as well as the Bargaining Team. After this the bargaining survey was sent out to gather input again to prioritize bargaining topics. In addition, each school was invited to have one Bargaining Liaison on the Bargaining Committee and we will be meeting with that committee again today to review today’s proposals so that they can share with other teachers at each worksite as needed. YOU are part of bargaining and your participation makes a difference.
Stay engaged and informed—our collective power makes progress possible. Remember, we accomplish more when we stand together than we ever could all alone. We are #StrongerTogether.
In Solidarity,
Clinton McCracken
OCCTA President
OCCTA Bargaining Team
