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Unit A Negotiations January 28, 2025 Meeting Update

On January 28th the DEA presented written proposals that included revisions to initial DEA proposals and counter proposals to previous Committee proposals. 

DEA revision of prior DEA proposals included: 

  • Three language proposals that would establish aspirational goals to maintain certain levels of staffing for librarians, interventionist, and instructional coaches. 
  • Language regarding the maintenance and conditions in faculty/staff bathrooms. 
  • Language establishing additional compensation for unit members responsible for planning field trips. 
  • Language establishing protocols for management of extreme temperatures in classrooms and clinics. 
  • Language establishing protocols and expectations for district notification to the DEA regarding use of outside contractors to provide instructional services. 

DEA counter-proposals included revised proposals to:

  • Modify language relating to paid time off for bereavement leave. 
  • Provide additional compensation to unit members for time associated with moving classrooms. 
  • Provide additional compensation to unit members who apply for and are selected to teach courses or manage caseloads that exceed their contractual duties. 
  • Amend language regarding the maintenance of specialist staffing at the elementary level.
  • Amend language specifying the number of parent-teacher conferences at the elementary level.

 

At this January 28th meeting, the Negotiations Subcommittee presented a counter proposal to the DEA’s initial wage proposal (12/9/24), which aimed to:

  • Provide a differentiated wage package that ensures wage increases for all unit members, while addressing less competitive wages for top step employees through: 
  1. a tiered approach to cost of living adjustments (COLA) at early, middle, and top steps. 
  2. wage differentials applied to top step salaries. 
  3. recognizing longevity earlier in educator’s careers in Dedham through adjustments to step increases in the pay scale. 
  • Ensure that the School Department’s budget stabilizes and returns to year over year increases that the town can afford through annual appropriation at Town Meeting.