TALB and LBUSD Continue Negotiations

Negotiations for the 2023-24 contract year continue between the Long Beach Unified School District and the Teachers Association of Long Beach (TALB). The bargaining teams have diligently met on Nov. 6, Nov. 27, Dec. 5, Dec. 18 and Jan. 11 to address ongoing proposals.

TALB has presented proposals covering crucial areas for educators, including additional tiers for pathway lead teacher stipends, observations and evaluations, CDC transfer language, and school site safety.

Long Beach Unified has proposed contract language recommendations for Days and Hours of Employment, Transfers and Compensation, aiming to enhance the overall work environment for staff. Key aspects of the proposals include:

Tentative Agreements:

1. Pay Increases for Athletic Directors: Increase rates of pay for athletic directors.

2. Additional Pay Tiers for Department Heads: Address Department Head and Pathway Lead stipends for large departments and pathways at comprehensive high schools.

3. Clarity on Health Benefit Contributions: Clarifying language regarding cost-sharing for health benefit contributions, ensuring transparency and fairness when the District reaches the District Annual Maximum.

4. Safety Conditions of Employments: Clarifying language regarding reports of physical harm, site emergency communications and the role of bargaining unit members during physical student altercations.

5. Alignment of Staff Demographics: Adjustments to transfer language to align staff demographics with student demographics at elementary sites. This aims to create a more representative and inclusive educational environment. Teams worked on refining the MOU language in the proposal outlining collaborative processes between TALB and the District to implement language adjustments and address metrics used to identify impacted schools.

6. GATE Vacancies: Address transfer language regarding GATE vacancies at elementary sites to create more transparency.

Pending Proposals:

1. Class Size and Staffing Ratios: Teams discussed the District proposal adjusting language in Article X, Section F regarding the special education special day class annual cumulative average.

2. Elementary Replacement Service: Teams reviewed proposals regarding adding language for additional compensation for elementary replacement service.

3. Additional Pay Tiers for Pathway Lead Teachers: Address Pathway Lead stipends for large departments and pathways at comprehensive high schools.

4. Compensation: Teams will address salary proposals during a subsequent session. 

The next negotiation session with TALB is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 1. Your dedication and collaboration during this process are invaluable, and we appreciate your ongoing commitment to the success of our students and the entire Long Beach Unified community.