United PCS is delighted to announce that our bargaining team has reached a tentative agreement with PCS. We are in the process of holding a ratification vote with our membership, and will announce the results tomorrow (Friday).
In addition to historic increases to teacher compensation, we have made great progress in a number of areas of our contract that will improve working conditions for our faculty, and help to create a more inclusive, stable community for our school.
First, a recap of our bargaining platform:
UPCS Bargaining Platform
Preserve Our Student-Centered Mission: We seek to steward inclusive access to high quality education that protects our class sizes, classroom autonomy and a culture of learning in which all departments and disciplines are supported.
Fair Compensation for Educators: In order to retain and attract a diverse group of the best educators, PCS teacher salaries must be competitive with other schools’ and commensurate with the cost of living in Santa Cruz.
Community Collaboration & Transparency: Faculty and all other community stakeholders must have meaningful participation and voice in important school decisions and processes.
We’ve Won a Contract That Meets Our Bargaining Platform Goals!
Article 4 – Union Rights & Union Dues
4.8 Department Chairs: Clarifying language to protect department chairs’ roles and responsibilities and to ensure chairs are not forced into management roles.
(UPCS Bargaining Goals 1 & 3)
Article 7 – Evaluation & Development
Improved language and procedures PCS must follow for evaluations.
(UPCS Bargaining Goals 1 & 3)
Article 8 – Employment Status & Discipline/Dismissal
8.1 Employment Status/Rights: Language to limit PCS’ ability to designate bargaining unit members as “temporary employees.” The new language aligns “temporary employment” with the California Education Code’s strict standards.
(UPCS Bargaining Goal 1)
Article 9 – Leave of Absence
Sabbatical Leave: Members who have 7 years of continuous service will have the opportunity to take an unpaid sabbatical leave of absence for either one semester or an entire academic year.
(UPCS Bargaining Goal 1)
Paid Parental Leave: Effective July 1, 2023 and through June 30, 2026, members who become new parents are entitled to 8 weeks (40 days) of paid parental leave. United PCS has the right to negotiate an extension of this benefit prior to June 30, 2026.
(UPCS Bargaining Goals 1 &2)
Bereavement Leave: Expanded use of bereavement leave to include members who suffer a loss due to a miscarriage or stillbirth.
(UPCS Bargaining Goals 1 & 2)
Article 10 – Professional Work Day/Work Year
School Counselor & College Counselor: Memorialized incorporation of school counselors and college counselors into our CBA and as a part of our bargaining unit. Newly defined work year, work day, and job duties for the counselors.
(UPCS Bargaining Goals 1, 2, & 3)
Article 12 – Compensation
Newly Improved Teacher Salary Schedule: Two-year agreement on salary that averages 15.72% of a raise for our members. Under this new agreement, for the first time in our school’s history, we will have teachers making a base salary that hits six-figures.
Effective July 1, 2022, the salary schedule is increased by 5%.
Effective July 1, 2022, the increases between steps on the salary schedule shall be as follows:
Steps 1 through 5: 2.3%
Steps 5 through 22: 3%
Effective July 1, 2023, the salary schedule is increased by 4%.
MA & PhD Stipends increase by the base amount salary schedule increases (5% for 2022 – 2023 & 4% for 2023 – 2024).
(UPCS Bargaining Goal 2)
New Salary Schedules for School Counselor and College Counselor: Incorporation of a competitive salary schedule for our school counselor and college counselor that recognizes their additional work days and professional duties and responsibilities.
(UPCS Bargaining Goal 2)
Extra Duty Stipends
Addition of “National Honor Society Advisor” at $1,000
Addition of “Media Arts/Video Production Support” at $2,000
(UPCS Bargaining Goal 1 & 2)
Compensation for Additional Duties
Addition of “Dance Fusion Teacher” at 0.1FTE.
(UPCS Bargaining Goal 1 & 2)
Reimbursement for Credential Related Expenses: Increase the rate of reimbursement from $8,500 to $10,000.
(UPCS Bargaining Goals 1 & 2)
Article 18 – Reductions in Force
Improved language and procedures PCS must follow when enacting reductions in force.
(UPCS Bargaining Goals 1 & 3)