ORANGE : School Contract Talks Continue
Union and management negotiators met for two hours Monday and reported progress in averting a strike of classified workers in the Orange Unified School District.
“We had a good meeting,” said Jack Elsner, head of district personnel. “It was a problem-solving meeting.”
Another negotiating session will be held next week.
At issue are union complaints of unfair labor practices and a controversial school board-imposed contract that cuts health benefits, imposes furloughs and allows the district to lay off employees without negotiating.
Union officials have accused the district of negotiating in bad faith during 11 months of contract talks. The union has filed complaints against the district with the state Public Employment Relations Board.
District officials deny the charges of unfair labor practices and say the contract, which saves the district about $485,000, is vital to keep the school system financially solvent.
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