Panama teachers approve original contract after second vote
By The Bakersfield Californian
Confronted with a "last, best and final offer" from Panama-Buena Vista Union School District that included cuts to salaries and benefits, teachers on Thursday night approved the original version of their proposed contract that was overwhelmingly rejected just two months ago.
About 74 percent of teachers -- 330 of them -- voted to approve its tentative contract with the district that included no furloughs, more teacher prep time and a rare and controversial medical benefits plan.
It was the second time teachers voted on the contract, which failed to pass the first time in December. At that time about 77 percent of teachers -- 348 of them -- rejected it.
Teachers then were uneasy in approving the contract that included a proposed medical plan aimed at cutting school district costs. That Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan, or MERP, would deny coverage to Panama teachers who could get insurance from their spouse's employer. Classified employees had already approved it.
Other local employers fired back, stating that the school's plan shifted financial liability. The County of Kern approved a change to county benefit policies stating that Panama employees would not be eligible for county medical plans if they were denied coverage by the school district.
After the first vote, the district through a mediator gave its teachers a final offer that included a $1.3 million cut to salaries and benefits packages.
The Panama-Buena Vista Teachers Association surveyed teachers to figure out what needed to be changed to their negotiated contract to gain their support before heading back to the table with the district. It showed there was sufficient interest to hold a ratification vote on the original tentative agreement with no modifications, the union told its members earlier this week on its website.
Thursday night, 471 teachers voted on the contract, and it passed.
"Thank you all for the voting process," the union announced on its website. "It was timely and efficient. We got it done and now it is time to move forward."
Without an agreement, the district and teachers would go into fact-finding. And if teachers waited until June to make a decision, the district would impose a 2.5 percent salary cut this school year, equivalent to $1,700 for the average teacher, along with seven furlough days next school year and with continued reduction to benefits, the union said.
-- Jorge Barrientos, Californian staff
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