9/16/02 - Bargaining Update

The Snohomish Education Association Bargaining Team entered into mediation this past weekend in a hopeful manner. Within the guidelines of the mediation process it was made clear to the District where SEA could compromise and still meet the needs of its members so that a fair and reasonable contract is the final result.

For the fifth time the District came to the table with no parameters allowing them to compromise. The mediator sent the two teams home. Each team can call the mediator when they have a new proposal to make.

SEA remains confused as to why the District is refusing to move away from the last proposal they presented over Labor Day. Money is available in the budget, in fact, the District itself reports that its ending fund budget is higher than projected. SEA's compromise fits into the budget.

SEA members will continue on the picket line until the School Board changes the parameters of their proposal, so that compromise can be accomplished. Whether or not one is bargaining in a normal situation or under mediation, both sides must move to the middle to settle. SEA has, the District has not.

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