Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Relations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Teachers, custodians and staff urge support for collective bargaining agreement at District 70 meeting
Summary
Multiple staff and community members told the District 70 board that a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) protects planning time, clarifies pay schedules, secures leave and benefits, and helps retain staff; union representation was described as broader than private liability insurance.
PUEBLO — Several District 70 employees and community members used public comment time to urge board support for collective bargaining agreements, describing specific CBA provisions they said are crucial for educators, custodial staff and clerical employees.
Ella McIndoe, a social studies teacher with 18 years in District 70, outlined six benefits of a CBA, including guaranteed planning time, an annual leave policy of 12 days, a transparent salary schedule, negotiated fringe benefits, administrator-evaluation language consistent with state law, and reduction-in-force protections. “Having planning time delineated in the CBA guarantees that educators are given time in their school day to complete essential work,” she said.
Jenny Proffer, representing support staff concerns, told the board that CBAs improve student learning conditions by protecting planning time and can help secure smaller class sizes, greater access to counselors and school psychologists, and provide for professional development that benefits student outcomes.
Gail Purcell distinguished private liability insurance from membership in educator associations, saying private policies are reactive and narrow while associations affiliated with CEA and NEA provide proactive legal support, advocacy, and representation during investigations. “Membership through CEA and NEA provides liability coverage as well, but it does not stop there,” Purcell said.
Crystal Terrell, a 14-year custodian and head custodian at Viceland Elementary for nine years, said the CBA gives custodial and support staff peace of mind about job duties, pay and safety protections and allows them to see whether a proposed agreement truly supports their families.
Speakers asked the board to consider these working-condition protections as part of the district’s efforts to recruit and retain qualified staff. The board thanked commenters and indicated the topic will remain on future meeting agendas.
