ABC Unified's Teachers Union Show Their Mettle in Bid for New Contract

ABC Unified School District teachers are on their third day of a ‘work slowdown’, an organized effort to bring attention to certain board members who are refusing to negotiate salary increases, as of February 9, 2022.

Every year, ABC School District and teachers represented by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Local 2317, are supposed to negotiate a compensation package that covers cost of living and salary adjustments.  But since the pandemic, the teachers have not had any salary compensation, despite an increased workload. Almost all the blame seems to be placed on current Board majority, and teachers are asking for parents’ help by leaving messages to the school board that the District needs to negotiate a salary increase for ABC teachers.

According to the teachers, Dr. Chris Apodaca, Ph.D (Trustee Area 7) and Dr. Olga Rios, Ph.D (Trustee Area 6) are the most supportive of the board members. Board members are often publicly supportive, but when it comes to action, those two are the most consistent.  Who is the worst? Michael Eugenio (Trustsee Area 1), elected in November 2020, has been the boardmember to both publicly deny salary increases and actively vote against them. The remainder Board majority haven't voted for teachers and nurses in the last two years: Soo Yoo (Trustee Area 2), Ernie Nishii (Trustee Area 3), Sophia Tse (Trustee Area 5).  Brad Beach (Trustee Area 4), elected in November 2020, has also voiced opposition to the teachers and nurses contract.

AFT 2317’s President Ray Gaer, described what a work slowdown is.  “Teachers and nurses only perform their contractual obligations and duties, but don’t put in the extra time that is usually expected of teachers.  So, no coming in early to prepare for the class, no staying late to work additional hours. Teachers and nurses come in five minutes before work begins at 8:30am, and then leave at 5:00pm.”

“Why no strike?” Gaer asked hypothetically. “This work slowdown does the least damage to students and parents. We’d rather do this than do something extreme like strike. Also, we have a good labor management partnership with the district, one of the strongest labor management partnerships in the country. It’s not management that we have a problem with, it’s the Board. The Board has consistently voted against compensation for teachers.”

Gaer explained how the pandemic has affected teachers. “Teachers have had to use their own sick leave instead of Covid days. Then they start burning through their personal leave days. The teachers who have burned through all their leave but need to recover or quarantine from Covid take leave where they only half the pay.”

Additionally, teachers have had to navigate the various changes in Covid protocol that are particular to schools. For instance, teachers have to create two curriculums. One for the students who attend class in person, and another online learning course for those who can not attend because of Covid.  

Ka (Kay) Yang is a teacher on special assignment. She gathers data to assist teachers and students who need additional help.  “Imagine a 4th grade class of any school,” said Yang. “There’s going to be a wide spectrum in the knowledge and learning ability of those students. My job is to collect data and I use that data to support teachers, and help students who have learning gaps.”

Yang often works from 7am to 11pm.

“If we’re not there planning, it adds more stress to teachers," Yang stated. "That stress is not going to help how we approach or help kids. We used to be open to talking with parents 7 or 8 at night."

"For now, immediate contact and texting has mostly stopped. Why? Because we are under a lot of stress, and we need to be compensated for our work,” she continued.

So, on a regular day without the work slowdown and without salary increases, what keeps teachers going? “Honestly, our morale is boosted every day by the students’ smiling faces,” Yang lamented. “All we’re asking is to be fairly compensated for our hard work.”

According to Gaer, the school district has asked the union to come back to the negotiating table on Wednesday. “We won’t stop the work slowdown until negotiations have been finalized,” said Gaer.

There will be a Board meeting on Tuesday, February 15. Public comments can be given. However, anyone from the public must submit a speakers card that is provided at the entrance. For anyone who wants to speak, please fill this card out and give it to secretary before and during the beginning of the meeting.

Questions have been submitted to the school district, and will be posted here when answered. Long Beach Press Telegram was able to reach ABC Unified’s spokesman Scott Smith, who responded to them, “ABCUSD continues our ongoing negotiations with the teachers.”