Panel Refuses to Ask Court to Block Teachers’ Contract

The teachers union lost another round Wednesday in the Orange Unified School District’s prolonged labor skirmish--a fight that may result in a two-day strike next week.

The Orange teachers union and administrators learned Wednesday that the state Public Employment Relations Board declined to seek a court ruling that would stop a new contract from taking effect. The union’s allegation of unfair labor practices still will be considered, however, board attorney Bernard McMonigle said.

Teachers object to the two-year salary and benefits package because the school board unilaterally imposed it March 14 without union consent.

“We’re not surprised by the [employment board’s] decision,” said Bill Shanahan, executive director of the Orange teachers union. “But we felt that it was important to make an attempt at every legal avenue available” before striking.

The school board said that negotiations were hopelessly stalled and that it had no choice but to implement the pact. The contract drops a previous board demand to buy out teachers’ lifetime health benefits and gives a retroactive 8% raise for the 1998-2000 school years. The union, representing almost 1,600 teachers, counselors and media specialists, said the district walked away from contract talks too soon.

Meanwhile, the school district is planning to file a complaint of its own, alleging that a walkout planned April 26-27 would be an illegal strike.

District officials are girding for the strike by hiring a private security firm, setting up an information center for the job action and offering premium wages for substitutes--$250 a day instead of the usual $100. The district will welcome help from parent volunteers during the strike but will not allow them to lead classes. Schools will remain open, district spokeswoman Judith Frutig said.