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Published on 04/07/1999 All articles from this issue

Foothill's skilled workers meet with mediator to settle salary negotiations

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By Linda Taaffe / Town Crier Staff Writer

Skilled workers at the Foothill-De Anza Community College District met with a mediator March 23 to settle salary negotiations with the district.

Erica Zweig, a spokeswoman from the California Schools Employee Association, said the agency was still waiting for the district to agree to a compromise after the meeting. The association represents the 90 skilled employees in the district.

Zweig said both parties must negotiate an agreement this month or present their cases to an appointed panel.

"I think it's amazing that the district (representative) didn't have the leeway to go in any direction," Zweig said.

She said the association has been negotiating since October for a 4.5 percent salary increase to be distributed among the 90 skilled workers, retroactive to July 1998. The district agreed to a 4 percent increase - $23,000 below what the association is requesting, she said.

She said the skilled workers offered to take a 4 percent raise retroactive to July 1998 and accept a permanent 4.5 percent salary change starting May 1, 1999.

Zweig said the association filed an impasse with the Public Employment Relations Board in San Francisco last month in order to expedite a settlement after four months of discord between the two parties.

Zweig said under an impasse, both parties must reach a compromise within 15 days after meeting with a neutral third party.

The negotiation is part of the workers' three-year contract, which allows for annual salary and benefit adjustments.

Greg Parman, director of human resources for the district, said the Foothill-De Anza board of trustees was scheduled to look at the association's offer at last Monday night's board meeting and either accept it or make another offer.