May 14—Around 300 teachers in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District rallied outside the district office Wednesday in demand of a fair contract after the state declared an impasse in negotiations between the district and teachers association. Clad in their blue SMEEA shirts, representing the Santa Maria Elementary Education Association, teachers pushed for the district to reconsider proposals .
Frustrated members of the Santa Maria Elementary Education Association held a rally yesterday. Contract negotiations between the Union and the Santa Maria-Bonita School District have been going on for a year-and-a-half and are currently at a stand-still. Union officials are calling for a fair contract regarding class size, salary, workday, and work year. They hope a state-appointed mediator to help both parties come to a mutual agreement.
Courtesy: Andrew Oman
Santa Maria Bonita teachers rally for improved conditions.
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Dozens of teachers rallied in Santa Maria Wednesday as their union tries to come to an agreement on working conditions with the Santa Maria Bonita Bonita School District.
They say the district has put forth a number of proposals that call for additional required duties beyond a normal workday. They point to a 20 percent increase in the number of classes for junior high teachers.
Members of the Santa Maria Elementary Education Association feel the district s proposals undermine their efforts in the last year during the pandemic.