collective bargaining | ALXnow

Alexandria School Board makes big changes to proposed collective bargaining resolution

Published March 15, 2024 at 2:45PM | Updated March 15, 2024 at 8:40PM

The Alexandria School Board discusses collective bargaining in their work session on Thursday, March 14, 2024 (via ACPS)

The Alexandria School Board made significant changes to its proposed collective bargaining agreement resolution with staff on Thursday night.

In a work session that ran until nearly midnight, the Board amended the 17-page draft resolution, which sets the rules for negotiations on a three-year agreement. The draft resolution reveals a slow rollout for the Alexandria City Public Schools bargaining process that will only reach full fruition in future negotiations, with the school system currently focusing on reaching an eventual collective bargaining agreement on six yet-to-be-determined topics with a portion of employees.

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Alexandria School Board authorizes collective bargaining and teachers union shuns draft proposal

By James Cullum

Published February 9, 2024 at 9:40AM

School buses on W. Braddock Road on Dec. 10, 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria School Board unanimously authorized starting the collective bargaining process with its teachers and licensed staff Thursday night, kickstarting an extensive period of negotiation on employee rights, wages and benefits.

A number of Alexandria teachers an union representatives voiced their displeasure, however, with stipulations in the ACPS draft collective bargaining resolution.

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ACPS wants to come to a collective bargaining agreement with staff by the end of 2024

By James Cullum

Published January 30, 2024 at 2:30PM | Updated February 8, 2024 at 6:38PM

Students get on school buses at Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus (staff photo by James Cullum

Alexandria City Public Schools officials want to reach a collective bargaining agreement by the end of this year, and a resolution to approve the process will be presented to the School Board next week.

The draft collective bargaining resolution was reviewed last Thursday by the Board’s Collective Bargaining Committee, and Board Chair Michelle Rief said that the school system has a goal of coming to an agreement with staff by the end of this year. Such a deadline means that any major changes to staff benefits and compensation would be realized with next year’s passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

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Without a cost of living increase, the proposed ACPS budget is causing concern for staff and families

By James Cullum

Published January 19, 2024 at 1:35PM | Updated January 29, 2024 at 3:57PM

School buses on W. Braddock Road on Dec. 10, 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated at 4 p.m. on Jan. 29) Critics contend that the proposed Alexandria City Public Schools budget shortchanges staff, but that’s not what the superintendent is saying.

Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt says that her proposed $374 million fiscal year 2025 budget focuses on retention with a full step increase and a 2% market rate adjustment for eligible staff. The school system is currently experiencing a staffing crisis, and the budget also increases bus driver salaries to $24 an hour for new drivers and more than $47 per hour for senior drivers with more than a decade experience with the school system. The budget also opens the door to the creation of a collective bargaining agreement with staff.

News

Former Teamster and substitute teacher Tim Beaty sworn in to Alexandria School Board

By James Cullum

Published January 19, 2024 at 10:55AM

Tim Beaty is the new District A School Board member (via ACPS)

There’s a new member of the Alexandria School Board. Tim Beaty, the retired former global strategies director for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, was sworn into office on Thursday night.

Beaty won a special election on Jan. 9 to fill the seat vacated by former School Board Member Willie Bailey. He will fill the remaining 11 months of Bailey’s term before the next School Board is sworn into office in January 2025. During that time, he said that he wants to help Alexandria City Public Schools edge closer to a collective bargaining agreement with staff.

News

Alexandria School Board special election candidates focusing on teacher retention and board transparency

By James Cullum

Published December 7, 2023 at 3:30PM

The candidates for the Alexandria School Board special election for District A are Tim Beaty and Gina Baum (staff photo on left by James Cullum, courtesy photo on right)

A longtime city commissioner and a retired labor leader are facing off in the special election for Alexandria’s School Board District A seat, and both want to improve teacher retention and board transparency.

Candidates Gina Baum and Tim Beaty have vastly different backgrounds and strengths.