Hello Educators,

RESPECT. SAFETY. SUSTAINABILITY.

Thursday evening, our Bargaining Team met with district representatives for our third bargaining session. Over 50 PAT members were there between our Bargaining Team and observers - our biggest crowd yet. Thanks for the support! Our Bargaining Team presented four articles and answered questions skillfully. We also engaged in more back-and-forth dialogue as PPS asked for clarity around several of our proposed changes. 

Once again, PPS showed up empty-handed, even though they promised to bring responses to us this time. Management let us know they’ve been “too busy” with their budget crisis the last two weeks to do their homework, but our Bargaining Team continues to go  the extra mile and we are hitting all of our deadlines.

Everyone’s mood was dimmed, as we are all aware that the PPS budget crisis is going to affect all bargaining unit members and our labor partners. That made the fact that more than 50 members joined us in solidarity even more impactful. Keep coming, and keep the pressure up

Our Bargaining Team will not back down in our fight for the contract we deserve. However, the district’s financial crisis requires that we shift our strategy. We are now in a position of leverage for non-financial demands that improve our working conditions in exchange for PAT members rescuing our district by authorizing furlough days. Between now and then, we need to educate ourselves and our communities about how our state funds education. Then, we need all hands on deck to fight like hell to pressure our elected officials to fully-fund schools. 

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Here are highlights from each Article proposed tonight:

Article 2 Association Rights:

• Expand PAT rights to become an equal partner in instructional and professional development decisions prior to implementation, by replacing the word “discuss” with “negotiate” during Instructional Program Council meetings

Article 6 Work Year:

• Eliminate additional district professional development days designated for CSI/Title 1 schools
• Provide option for counselors to move from 202-work day calendar to 193-workday schedule and extended hours up to 9 additional days
• Ensure that educators may work remotely on planning and grading days, and support parent/teacher conferences with remote virtual options as needed by families.

Article 7 Workday:

• Provide 450 minutes of planning time to Elementary and Middle Schools and a 45 minute protected planning time during the school day
• Reduce required High School staff meetings from thirty to ten and align to current PK-8 schedule of staff meetings

Article 10 Academic Freedom:

• Affirm that the selection and adoption of districtwide textbooks and other instructional materials are subject to bargaining with PAT
• Establish protections for educators exercising PPS Academic Freedom by requiring notice, reasonable time to respond, and a non-disciplinary meeting with the site administrator before any discipline may occur

Ask the Bargaining Team
Q: How did our Bargaining Team create Article proposals?  
A: Proposals are based on feedback from members, surveys of membership, analysis of frequent grievances, and working together in small groups of educators, by speciality, grade, or school, to identify and solve common problems we are encountering. 

Q: When an Article is proposed, is that it?  
A: No, that’s the first step! Our Bargaining team will continue to discuss and review needs based on member feedback and district counter proposals

What’s Next
Monday, March 9 at 5:30pm: Contract Hotline hour via ZOOM
Join us any time during hotline hours if you’d like to ask questions, provide feedback, or talk directly with members of the Bargaining Team. You can also contact your PAT Building Rep or CAT Site Leader.  

Next Bargaining Sessions: Join us!
Thursday, March 19 at 4:30pm-Marshall High School, Library
Bring a sign, bring a friend, and wear BLUE! 💙 
Updates will be posted here: https://www.pdxteachers.org/bargaining

VIDEO from Bargaining #3

In Solidarity,
Your PAT Bargaining Team:

Alex Prahl, Cesar Chavez K-8
Alexis Quiñonez, Rigler ES
Andrew Butterfield, Ida B. Wells HS
Angela Bonilla, PAT President
Beyoung Yu, Atkinson ES
Bryan Dykman, Franklin HS
Calley Ekberg, Itinerant
Caroline Coholan, Llewellyn ES
Carolyn "CT" Earnest, McDaniel HS
Catherine Tucker, Marysville ES
Chrysann Lowe, Beverly Cleary K-8
Francisca Alvarez, Scott K-5 and Bargaining Co-Chair
Georgie Steeves, Harrison Park MS
Josuee Hernandez, Faubion PK-8
Kelly Schlottman, Lent ES
Ky Hansen, CRIS
Luke Hotchkiss, Benson HS
Mike Carlip, Rapid Response Team and Bargaining Co-Chair
Moira Finnegan, Franklin HS
Revi Shohet, Bridger-CS K-8
Rhonda Holmes, Roosevelt HS
Rion Roberts, Lincoln HS
Samara Bockelman, Beaumont MS and Roseway Heights MS
Sarabeth "SB" Leitch, McDaniel HS
Sarah Conely, Sunnyside K-8
Sunshine McFaul, Grant HS
Valerie Turner, Mt. Tabor MS
Walker, Roosevelt HS
Yaneira Romero, James John ES