SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : Teacher Talks Stall; Mediation Possible

Contract talks in the Capistrano Unified School District have broken down, opening the way for possible labor action, representatives of the teachers’ union said Tuesday.

District officials confirmed that they have declared an impasse, clearing the way for a state mediator to intercede in the talks, which have been under way since June.

“We’re so far apart and so deadlocked on a number of issues that we felt it might be useful to call in a mediator,” said Jerome R. Thornsley, the district superintendent. “The district views mediation as an extension of the negotiating process.”

Union representatives were infuriated by the move, however, claiming that the district had balked at a chance to bargain in good faith and had instead raised the possibility of labor action.

“We have tried our best as an organization to bargain creatively and cooperatively,” said Ric Stephenson, president of the Capistrano Unified Education Assn., which represents nearly all of the 1,100 teachers. “They’re obviously only comfortable with a confrontation.”

Stephenson said the union is considering pickets, demonstrations at school board meetings and even a strike as ways of putting pressure on the district and influencing contract discussions.

The teachers are seeking an 8.5% increase in the three-year contract, and district officials have offered 6%.

The union also opposes a district proposal to institute a new disciplinary procedure that would allow for teacher suspensions under certain conditions.

District officials filed their request for a mediator Tuesday and said they expect a response from the state within about 10 days. If the state agrees to provide a mediator, talks would probably resume some time after Jan. 1.