Laguna Beach : School District, Union Call for Mediator’s Help

Having failed to reach an agreement after 10 months of negotiations, officials of the school district and California School Employees Assn. local have called for a mediator to help settle the issue of job security, the last stumbling block.

Mediator David Hart, contracted by the Public Employee Relations Board, is scheduled to arrive in Laguna Beach March 19.

‘I hope he can help (us) come to some conclusion . . . so we can continue in education, which is what were here for,” said Linda Burton, who represents the 48 clerical, custodial and cafeteria employees who are members of the local.

Burton said both sides have agreed on a cost-of-living increase. Employees had asked for a 6% yearly increase but settled for 4%.

A major area of contention is the contracting of services, Burton said. The association is proposing language in the contract that would prohibit the district from phasing out jobs when it contracts for services.

Supt. Bill Barnes declined to discuss details of the negotiations, but said Hart “is an experienced mediator. He has acquired the skill to work effectively to reach a settlement between both parties.”