Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Relations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Teachers’ union says parcel tax is on the November ballot as payroll delays persist; board, staff respond
Summary
SMMCTA announced signatures for a local parcel tax were accepted and the measure will appear on the November ballot. Union representatives and SEIU reported delayed wages and payroll errors tied to a county payroll system migration; staff said LACOE and district teams are working to resolve configuration issues and offered employee support resources.
Claudia Bautista of the Santa Monica‑Malibu Classroom Teachers Association told the board that the association’s signatures have been accepted and that the parcel‑tax measure endorsed by the union will appear on the November ballot. "Our signatures have officially been accepted, and the parcel tax measure we have endorsed will appear on the November ballot," Claudia said, and she also thanked colleagues and the Santa Monica City Council for a unanimous endorsement.
Both Claudia and Ryan Emerson (SEIU) raised payroll concerns tied to the district’s recent migration to a county payroll platform. Ryan said the district’s last offer for bargaining is insufficient and highlighted the union’s ongoing concern about a law firm the unions identified as having been used by other districts. Assistant Superintendent Gerardo Cruz responded that the payroll interruptions are connected to LACOE’s system migration, that district payroll staff are working closely with county technical teams, and that the district has offered Zoom rooms and outreach for employees. Cruz said the errors have affected employees at every pay level and urged staff and unions to continue reporting payroll problems so the district can make impacted employees whole.
