Next Up, Passing Prop. 30

SFUSD to face up to 16.5 furlough days if California voters do not pass new revenue on the November ballot.

Full Tentative Agreement – Certificated – Classified | Financials Overview | Comparison to Original SFUSD Proposal

August 21, 2012

Late last night the UESF Elections Committee certified that the UESF membership has voted to approve the recent contract settlement reached with the SFUSD. The contract was approved with a 79% yes vote (1146 yes, 310 no). Because of deep state budget cuts, the agreement will mean 1.5 furlough days over each of the next two school years. However, with the strong backing of the membership, the UESF Bargaining Team was successful in making sure all cuts were temporary.

According a provision in the new contract, if we do not pass a statewide revenue measure on the November ballot, we could face up to 16.5 furlough days over the next two years.

It is essential that we do everything we can to pass Prop. 30, the progressive tax measure on the ballot. Those who can afford the most, should support our schools.

This settlement is a wake up call to all parents and school supporters. We must do everything we can to help pass this initiative and keep our kids in school.

We must also work hard this fall to defeat Prop. 32, an initiative that threatens to silence our political voice by disallowing direct political contributions by unions. Although the measure on the surface seems to limit donations by corporations as well, the League of Women Voters has determined that loopholes in the measure would effectively mean only labor unions would be limited.

And, of course, electing a new school board is in order. We never should have been forced to take a strike vote to get a reasonable settlement. Teachers and paras should also never be laid off as part of a political game. As professional educators, we deserve a school board that shows us more respect than that.

Thanks again to the members of the UESF Bargaining Team, and to all those UESF members who helped organize their fellow educators and parents throughout the contract fight. When we stand together we are truly stronger, and our schools and our students are better off.

Finally, special thanks to the UESF Elections Committee, who once again did another fine job.

Ready to get involved in the November election? Contact UESF Political Director Ken Tray at ktray [at] uesf [dot] org or 956-8373 to get started.