As the director of the Vancouver Education Association, I was shocked to read The Columbian June 24 editorial, “Pay cuts reasonable,” which blames teachers for bargaining stall tactics on a 1.9 percent cut in salary.
Our contract calls for an exchange of all proposals on Feb. 1. VEA was ready to bargain, but Vancouver Public Schools requested a three-month delay to April 25.
When the teams finally met, the district did not have any proposals to present. The district found only three days to bargain in May. On Memorial Day, the district presented a “best and final offer” and suggested mediation if it was not accepted. (The editorial was incorrect that we have a right to go to arbitration.) To our surprise, the offer included an increase in salary that we had not asked for.
The association repeatedly told the district that VEA was unable to bargain in July, but its negotiating team would be available in August.
