Bargaining Blind

Collective Bargaining

The primary function of a union is to serve its members. Every time a member pays their dues, they should rest easy knowing their money is being well spent. Education Association of Alexandria (EAA) members have been losing sleep for far too long. Here’s how it should work.

Unions were designed to ensure members have fair labor standards and, mainly, to advocate for members to have better wages, benefits and working conditions. This is achieved through collective bargaining. Collective bargaining is the process through which the union, in this case EAA, negotiates with the school district to come to an agreement on terms that deliver those better wages, benefits, and working conditions. Once an agreement is made, union members have a chance to vote on the terms of the agreement. This allows the union to deliver on the promises made to their union members.

In most cases, that’s how the process works. Frustratingly, EAA has different standards and practices in mind for their members. Currently, The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations with EAA are kept under tight lock and key. The members of the negotiating team agreed to confidentially, and any member who wishes to be a silent observer is required to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA). An NDA is a legally binding agreement that states the signee cannot share any details of what is and is not negotiated; otherwise they'll face legal repercussions. This begs the question, why all the secrecy?

Defying Expectations, It’s Worse Than You Think

Because negotiations are so unclear in the process of collective bargaining, members of EAA are kept in the dark. Members cannot anticipate if their demands are being met or their interests accounted for while negotiations are ongoing. Once the terms of the agreement are final and negotiations are done, then the members can see if the agreement reflects their needs. So far, the details we do know do not inspire confidence. If anything, the questions members are asking indicate they are more frustrated and concerned than ever.

Members were originally told that pay increases would not be one of the points discussed in CBA negotiations this year. However it appears, compensation became a topic of discussion in the budget, suggesting that compensation is being discussed in negotiations. Under most circumstances, that would be a welcome surprise. Who doesn’t want more money in their pocket? And yet, the lack of communication leaves members discouraged and uncertain.

Because the negotiations are confidential, even to members, situations like the one above become commonplace. After all, how are members supposed to direct leadership to negotiate a fair deal when they are not being involved? In the best case, it would be tricky but not impossible. Add in the fact that members are not aware of what is and is not a component of the negotiations, and it becomes impossible. Being told a topic is not on the table and then hearing it may be discussed without your knowledge prevents members from sharing their voices in negotiations. Not to mention, even this is speculation, as EAA leadership has yet to disclose, confirm, or deny if compensation is being negotiated. This entire ordeal does nothing but create disenfranchisement for members.

And yet, somehow that isn’t the worst part.

What it Should Be

In the proposed budget, ACPS stated that money is being set aside for what is negotiated in collective bargaining.There were no specifics beyond that, but chances are a step increase and cost of living adjustment (COLA) would be included. The average standard and the minimum step increase for an educator is approximately 3%. Union leadership said that restorative steps are not on the table, meaning, based on our best knowledge, only a single step would be negotiated. With a step increase and a modest COLA, educators could expect about a 3 to 5% increase. This is of course all speculation at this point, since EAA leadership will not respond to any questions or concerns about what they are willing to negotiate.

But wait, unfortunately there’s more. That pay “increase” is potentially being offset, if not outright reduced to nothing, by the burden of healthcare costs being passed onto educators. Right now licensed educators pay 20% of healthcare costs, and Education Support Personnel (ESPs) pay 10%, which is proposed to rise another 5% for everyone. Assuming a bare minimum pay increase is being negotiated, educators now have to pay more towards their healthcare, before accounting for the expected rise in healthcare costs overall. Members are hoping for a pay increase that may ultimately amount to a pay cut.

Put plainly, this does not serve devoted, paying members nor does it fulfill the promise a union makes when they come to the negotiating table. It is highly doubtful members and educators asked for a pay cut, so why is it looking like that is likely? At this point, it isn’t clear if EAA has any intention of fighting for their members’ best interests. This entire scenario suggests the current negotiation will create a sub-par deal, which is as good as no deal as far as members are concerned.

There is good news though, as there is still time to change course and give members what they deserve. We can create an opportunity for members to advocate for themselves if no one else will. Firstly, members who are dissatisfied with the agreement, once EAA decides to finally share it with them, can vote against the agreement. Nothing goes into effect without members' votes. Negotiations can begin again, but this time it will be clearer what members actually want and expect their leadership to fight for.

Finally, members can vote during the Executive Officer elections in the Spring for new leadership that will go into bargaining negotiations with them in mind from the start. RUN has pledged to never leave members' wellbeing at the door. David, Tyron and Howard know better than anyone else what it feels like to be left behind by EAA leadership. So they understand what it means to push back. That means standing up to current EAA leadership and voting them out when the time comes. Before we can work for you, we need your vote. Let’s fight together.