2009-10 Bargaining News

Bargaining Team appointed - The STA Executive Board has appointed the following members to the 2009-10 Bargaining team:  Michael Foley, Chief Negotiator; Alisha Couse, President; Peter Rings, 2nd Vice President; Mary Beth Flatley, Treasurer; and Kevin Meachem, HS Building Representative.

All members have had the opportunity to express their thoughts regarding the new contract.  Negotiations will begin in the Spring.

2007-08 Negotiations News

STA and Board of Education Ratify Contract - After almost three years of negotiating, the STA and the Board of Education each approved a new contract which takes effect immediately.  It will cover the 2006-07 - 2008-09 school years.  Members who have not received a packet of changes to the contract may see a building rep.

Tentative Contract Explained to Membership - The STA negotiating team recently held a general information session to explain the tentative new contract agreement to the membership.  If you were not able to attend the meeting, please contact Interim President, Mary Beth Flatley in the middle school for an information packet. 

"Factfinder Finds in Favor of Schalmont Teachers" - This was the headline of the March 3 edition of the Daily Gazette which outlined the recommendations of the PERB factfinder, Peter Prosper. Read the entire document.

"Schalmont Teachers Confront Board of Education" - That was the headline on the February 12 edition of the Daily Gazette as a large contingent of Schalmont teachers attended the monthly Board of Education meeting.  Questions were posed to the board regarding safety issues in the schools, purchasing of supplies, non-visibility of board of education members in the schools, and field trips.  Check out the pictures!

STA Shows Support at First Grade Concert
STA was decked out in holiday red as they gathered together to show support for our first grade students who were performing in their first holiday concert.  Members had a chance to visit with parents and noted that many former students are now parents with children living in the district.

Weather Does Not Dampen Spirit - "Neither rain, not snow, nor dark of night" could stop teachers from demonstrating their support of the STA in their quest for negotiating a fair contract.  As we continue in our resolve to maintain our contract for all of our members, we stand united....5 buildings for one cause...our membership.  Many thanks for all the assistance in organizing this event.  Check out the photos!

Crisis Committee Plans Strategy - Many thanks to those who joined the Crisis Committee.  Sub-committees have been organized in every building and plans have been developed for activities promoting the STA 's negotiating position.  See a building rep for more information. 

STA Attends Board of Education Meeting with a Show of Solidarity
Monday, June 11 was the place to be as approximately 150+ STA members filed into the high school auditorium to attend the monthly Board of Education meeting. 

In a message to members, President Alisha Bahrmann states, "As the next generation of Schalmont teachers takes the helm of STA, there are many who thought, and perhaps hoped, that STA and its sphere of influence would crumble.  We knew this would not be the case!  Our presence at the Board meeting on Monday is testament to this fact.  I want to thank you for taking time out of your schedule and away from family members and other personal commitments to show your support of STA.  I am proud to represent you and be your advocate."
More photos

Negotiation Food for Thought
As we continue negotiating our contract, take a moment to read a perspective from a teacher who began his career in 1962, five years before teachers won the right to collectively bargain for their contracts and working conditions.  40 years have passed since the enactment of the Taylor Law and gains in wages, hours, benefits and other compensation made during that time was not easily attained for public employees.  What we have today is the fruit of others' hard work to improve the teaching profession not only for themselves, but for the future generations (teachers today).  Eddie O'Sullivan, a retired teacher from Harborfields School District discusses his thoughts in an article in the May 24, 2007 issue of New York Teacher.