AT THE TABLE 
June 14, 2010

Today, The Brevard Federation of Teachers Negotiating Team met with the district’s team for the first formal session of the 2010-2011 school year. The district team arrived and entered the room with a very deliberate and methodical attitude.  Joy Salamone immediately indicated that we have worked collaboratively for several years. She reiterated that she believed traditional bargaining was strictly adversarial. She expressed a desire that we return to the Intereste-based collaborative vs. the traditional method and shared a DRAFT version of the district’s Operational Beliefs.

Janet Eastman asked that the teams be introduced to one another and stated that traditional does not mean adversarial – in Brevard County we can change that paradigm and bargain in a traditional manner without being confrontational.  The Union and district can set those guidelines. The Union shared its proposal with the district team.

The Union asked for a caucus meeting to discuss the Operational Beliefs.  The teams returned to the table and Janet Eastman read the Union’s position stating that traditional bargaining does indeed support the Operational Beliefs of the Brevard County School District.

Once again, BFT believes that traditional bargaining is more efficient, less time consuming, avoids descending into negativism and is definitely more accurate. The district indicated that perhaps we need to create guidelines. Both teams caucused and return to the table and the district proceeded to ask for clarification on many items that we brought to the table in our proposal. One of several place holders in our proposal allows us to address compensation and benefits at a later date.

BFT and the district tentatively agreed on the six (6) paid holidays during the 2010-2011 school year.

September 6, 2010
November 25, 2010
November 26, 2010
December 31, 2010
January 17, 2011
April 22, 2011

Up coming bargaining dates:

Tuesday, June 22, 2010 – 9-12 PM, training rooms 7 & 8 ESF
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - 9-12 PM, training rooms 7 & 8 ESF
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 - 9-12 PM, training rooms 7 & 8 ESF
Monday, July 26, 2010 – 9 -5 PM, training rooms 3 & 4 ESF
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 – 9 -5 PM, 804b 
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 – 9 -5 PM, 804b 
Thursday, July 29, 2010 – 9 -12 PM, 804b 
Friday, July 30, 2010 – 9 -5 PM, 804b

Please contact Janet Eastman at janet.eastman@floridaea.org  if you have questions.

Your Negotiating Team members are:  Janet Eastman, Chief Negotiator, Dan Bennett, 2nd Vice President, Lynda Bell, Palm Bay High, John Chybion, Endeavour Elementary, Vickie Dyer, BFT Office, Larry Finch, DeLaura Middle, Cherline Gipson, Cocoa High, Michael Mugge, Challenger 7 Elementary, Tammy Michonski, Riverview Elementary, Dr. Debbie Rhyne, Mims Elementary, Juanita Saylor, Turner Elementary, Jackie Small, Saturn Elementary and Dorothy Wells, Merritt Island High.

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