June 29, 2007
Volume 1 • Issue 1
Bargaining Process Now In Motion
Reopener Session Began June 21 to Clean Up After Legislature
The Nevada Legislature adjourned having passed a less than impressive K-12 public education budget and
leaving local associations and school districts to clean up the mess.
The state budget reflects an increase in spending over the last biennium, including a 2% salary increase
the first year (actually only a 1.625% increase since the legislature failed to provide funding to cover the
.375% PERS increase) and 4% salary increase the second year, however, public education funding in
Nevada continues to fall short, leaving children and educators with many unmet needs.
As reported in the July 2007 issue of the CCEA Express, CCEA wasted no time demanding a reopener
bargaining session, as provided in Article 39 of the Negotiated Agreement, to address the funding allocated
by the legislature and, most importantly, address the funding “forgotten” by the legislature like PERS and
health insurance.
“As the exclusive representative of all licensed personnel (excluding administrators), CCEA is always
vigilant to protect and enhance the benefits and working conditions of the more than 13,000 members who
make this association strong. It is their continued membership that provides leverage not only in the
current round of bargaining, but throughout the year,” stated CCEA Deputy Executive Director of Legal
Services Kathy Foresythe who serves as a consultant to the Negotiations Team.
This was clearly evident at the reopener session held June 21, where CCEA’s first priority was to make
sure you get a full 2% salary increase by getting the District to agree to pay the .375% PERS increase that
the legislature failed to fund at a cost of more than $2 million.
We can report that the initial session had a positive outcome and that the first priority has been met.
CCEA negotiated to make the salary increase whole -- 2% for 2007-2008 and 4% for 2008-2009 -and CCSD will also be paying for the .375% PERS increase.
Additional bargaining sessions are scheduled through August to address recent changes in the law,
including 1/5 PERS Credit for teachers at at-risk schools and additional empowerment schools. We will
keep you up-to-date through Table Talk as the sessions take place.
“We greatly appreciate our members’ support as we progress throughout this reopener session. Having
the strength of a 13,000+ membership group at the bargaining table certainly tips the scale in our favor,”
said CCEA Executive Director John Jasonek.
CCEA and your Negotiations Team remain committed to improving your working, teaching and living
conditions. Our successes are a result of your continued support. Thank you!