SEA Impact Bargaining 2020 - Update #5:
United for Safe and Equitable Schools

The Seattle Education Association is the voice for educators and our students, standing united to address the needs of our community during this pandemic and to transform our district into an anti-racist school system where every student thrives.
 
From the Bargaining Table
Thank you to the hundreds of members who joined one of the six different listening sessions hosted by SEA over the past three weeks. During these sessions, members took the time to share the challenges and opportunities they see with both remote learning and in-person learning models. This member input has helped drive what we talk about at the bargaining table.
 
SEA and SPS are currently in the midst of impact bargaining (a term used to refer to the fact that our working conditions have been significantly impacted by the global pandemic). Our bargaining team is addressing how best to return to schools in the fall given the current pandemic. Click here to read the Impact Bargaining Priorities.
 
The first major topic of bargaining is health and safety. Obviously, health and safety is a top priority and complex to address. Thankfully, in addition to our core bargaining team, we have an extremely talented Health and Safety Subcommittee supporting them and doing a deep dive into these issues. Your Health and Safety Subcommittee members are listed below. If you have health and safety questions or concerns, please feel free to send an email to SEAbargainingteam@washingtonea.org or reach out to one of the Subcommittee members directly.
 
Meet the Health and Safety Subcommittee!
 
Deirdre Palmer, Admin Secretary; Patrice Robinson, Admin Secretary; Evelyn Shelby, Admin Secretary; Guillermo Carvajal, Family Support Worker; Herminia Helms, SPED Paraprofessional; Joaquin Rodriguez, Para-professional; Erin Carroll, OT/PT; Alison Enochs, Nurse; Lynne Oliphant, Nurse; Heather Vargas Lyon, Nurse; HuiLing Yang, Nurse; Bryan Manzo, Counselor; Elizabeth Swarny, Counselor; Kara Golgert, Pre-K Teacher; Dazanne Davis-Porter, Kindergarten Teacher; Jennifer Hall, SPED Teacher; Dazanne Davis-Porter, Kindergarten Teacher; Hilary Lombard, SPED Teacher; Bruce Patt, Humanities Teacher; Kristi Taylor, SEA UniServ Director.
 
There are two additional bargaining subcommittees (Student Supports and Teaching & Learning) that we will highlight in future updates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
 
Q: What is SEA's position on the type of model for re-opening schools?
A: SPS presented a proposal to the School Board on June 30 (click here to view presentation). According to the SPS proposal, there will be two options available for families - (1) a 100% remote model; and, (2) a hybrid model that has some in-person and some remote instruction. SEA has not taken a position on, nor agreed to, a preferred model for re-opening schools. All of the impacts of any model must be negotiated. SEA is collaborating with the District in bargaining to explore a range of options while raising member questions and concerns, taking into consideration health and safety as well as other bargaining priorities while also evaluating the latest health information.
 
To inform our bargaining team, please click on the link below to take a very brief survey on re-opening schools.
 

Q: Is there anything I can do to support the bargaining work?
A: We will succeed at the bargaining table by keeping our co-workers informed and active, participating in actions, standing together, and bringing our message to the community.
  1. Stay in touch with your colleagues and ask them if they are getting these bargaining updates. If not, forward this message to their personal email!
  2. Encourage any non-members to join SEA by directing them to the SEA member enrollment form at: https://www.washingtonea.org/eJoin/
  3. Be sure to join our SEA text line for the latest updates by texting SeattleEAto 41411.
  4. Have you moved or changed your personal email preferences? Please update us at SEA. Reply to this email with changes.
Q: Will we have a chance to vote on whatever SEA and SPS agree to at the bargaining table?
A: Procedurally, there is no requirement for a vote of the Representative Assembly or the full membership on a memorandum of agreement (MOA). However, given the high stakes of this agreement, SEA leadership will be asking the Representative Assembly to vote. The 2019-22 collective bargaining agreement remains in place. Any MOA reached will have an expiration date jointly determined by SEA and SPS; any modifications will sunset on the expiration date.
 
Communications is a Two-Way Street
Keep an eye out for the weekly Impact Bargaining Update with important details and actions related to the bargaining process. This is a two-way street. If you have concerns, email the bargaining team and subcommittees directly at: SEAbargainingteam@washingtonea.org
 
Important Dates to Calendar
July 23 from 5-6:30pm SEA Listening Session
July 30 from 4-5:30pm SEA Listening Session
August 12 from 1-3pm = SPS Board Special Meeting regarding Fall 2020 Re-opening
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How to Stay Connected:

 




 
 
 


The 2019-2022 Contracts are posted on the SEA Website!


Seattle Education Association
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Seattle, WA 98108
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