Bargaining Update: Impasse and Stay Tuned
Throughout the past six months of contract bargaining, our theme has been From Pandemic to Promise: Re-Imagining Our Schools. We have introduced proposals to improve our schools by humanizing unit members' working conditions and boosting salaries. PGCPS responded by denying proposals to move on these critical matters. PGCPS wants to make changes at the margins while effectively maintaining the status quo.
While we agreed on eighty (80) items brought to the table, significant issues persist that compromise educators' ability to serve students' educational and social-emotional needs and maintain a healthy work/life balance. PGCPS has also not offered a salary proposal that addresses the critical educator vacancies and encourages the retention of the educators currently employed.
On Thursday, June 9th, after PGCPS did not move on a single outstanding issue, PGCEA declared negotiations with PGCPS at an impasse. Declaring the impasse was not an action taken lightly, as our goal was always to bring a tentative contract agreement to PGCEA members for a ratification vote this month. Unfortunately, PGCPS's non-response to critical matters of workload and compensation, which were prime concerns for educators in these challenging times, rendered impasse the only option as PGCPS was unwilling to continue constructive negotiations.
Under Maryland law, the Maryland Public School Labor Relations Board (PSLRB) must recognize the impasse we have reached with PGCPS. We are filing that request now. PGCEA proposed a joint filing with PGCPS to expedite labor board action and get to mediation as fast as possible. However, when we requested a joint filing with PGPCS they declined to join us. Once an impasse has been recognized by the Labor Board both sides will have the opportunity to put unresolved proposals before a jointly selected mediator. The mediator will attempt to facilitate a resolution of outstanding issues. If successful a tentative agreement will be put before PGCEA members and the Board of Education for ratification. If this is not successful, we will move to the arbitration phase of impasse and an arbitrator will impose a resolution of outstanding issues.
While we are waiting for the official declaration of impasse from the PSLRB, PGCEA continues to advocate for what we deserve: respect, fair compensation, and sensible working conditions that support our profession and our students. The pressure members have kept up, including photos in solidarity with our bargaining team on social media, letters to the CEO, and expanding our message to the greater community to show unity across our county, is already making a difference.
On Friday, June 24th at 10:30 a.m. we will hold Facebook live to discuss the further particulars of the impasse and action steps going forward. Please join us and invite others to do so as well. Stay tuned. There is much work to be done, but we believe good work to do to get what educators, students, and the community deserve in our public schools. United, we stand for equity and excellence! Please continue to check your personal emails, the PGCEA website, and the Newsette for accurate and up-to-date information.
