Posted on Mar 03, 2010

After nearly two years of bargaining, organizing and working together to make our voices heard, the 8,000-plus members of the San Diego Education Association have reached a tentative agreement (TA) on a fair settlement with the San Diego Unified School District. This TA has been unanimously endorsed by the SDEA bargaining team, the SDEA Board of Directors and the SDEA Representative Council. But the most important endorsement has yet to come.

This is your contract and your vote.

This ratification vote is an important opportunity for SDEA members to demonstrate our strength and our unity. A strong vote turnout will show the District that we are united in our commitment to ensuring that our new contract is enforced, united in our commitment to ensuring that our next contract builds upon our hard work over the past two years. The District has heard us loud and clear over the past 22 months. Let’s make sure they hear us now.

Membership Meetings

SDEA will be conducting eight membership meetings at the SDEA office to discuss the details of the TA prior to the ratification vote. Hard copies of the agreement will also be provided at the membership meetings. Members can visit the bargaining updates page for a detailed summary and to download the TA ahead of time. The dates for the meetings are:

  • Wednesday, March 3 — 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 4 — 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.
  • Friday, March 5 — 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 6 — 10:00 a.m. and Noon

Voting Instructions

Ballots were mailed to members’ homes on Wednesday, March 3. Ballots must be received (not post-marked) at the SDEA office no later than 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 13 in order to be counted. Members who have not received a ballot early next week should come to the SDEA office to have a replacement ballot signed out to them. Only SDEA members may vote; non-members/fee-payers cannot vote. The ratification vote is occurring concurrently with the election for SDEA officers for the 2010-2011 school year. Please carefully review the voting instructions enclosed with your ratification ballot to ensure that your vote is counted!

SDEA’s leadership believes this contract represents a monumental victory for educators, students, parents and the entire San Diego community. This is likely the strongest overall education contract in California. To have achieved this success, during these difficult financial times, is a tribute to SDEA members standing strong behind their bargaining team and SDEA leadership. Let’s stand strong together again.

Together we really are stronger!