BUENA PARK : Teachers Contract Negotiations Stall

Negotiations for a new contract for Buena Park School District teachers have stalled, and teachers are urging the district to reach an equitable agreement soon.

“I wish we were closer to a settlement,” Carol Young, co-president of the Buena Park Teachers Assn., told the Board of Trustees Monday night. “I am concerned, especially since one of the major areas of difference appears to be in the no-cost areas of the contract.”

Both sides declared an impasse about a month ago. They met with a state mediator last Friday but were unable to reach a resolution. The district’s teachers have been working without a contract since July 31, 1992.

Mary Humphreys, spokeswoman for the teachers’ bargaining team, said that although teachers asked for a 3% cost-of-living raise, the increase is their lowest priority in reaching a contract settlement.

“We realize the district’s financial situation,” Humphreys said.

Supt. Jack Townsend said a “salary increase is out of the question” because of state cutbacks to the district.

Townsend said that to cope with the district’s shrinking budget, class sizes in the next school year will probably be increased and five teacher positions will probably be cut.

Humphreys said the main contract issues still unresolved include:

* A “fair-share” provision, in which teachers who are not association members would pay a fee for representation by the employee group.

* A plan that gives financial incentive to encourage teachers over the age of 55 to retire early. The association believes that the move would save the district money because senior teachers are usually paid more.

* Binding arbitration, in which an outside arbitrator’s decision on grievances is binding on both sides and can’t be overturned by the school board.

Under the fair-share plan, teachers who are not members of the association would pay a percentage of dues to help cover the costs of the association, Humphreys said. Of the district’s 180 teachers, 161 are members of the association.

Humphreys also said the association must represent all teachers, whether members or not, in grievances and negotiations.

Humphreys said the association wants the chance to hold an election on this issue and let the teachers decide.

But Townsend said trustees strongly believe that “this is an issue for individual discretion.”

Young, a 27-year district teacher, said the fair-share fee is not equivalent to joining the association.

“We are asking for a fair-share payment to equalize the load we all carry in order to negotiate with our employees,” she said.

Teachers and district officials said they hope to return to the bargaining table soon.

Young and other teachers said they would like to reach a contract agreement.

“I personally would rather teach,” Humphreys said.