Collective Bargaining and Unions

Complete the following questions using the Collective Bargaining Agreement from the school
district you are observing. Please cite the page number you located each answer.
1. What school district did you research? Provide the exact web address or link to the
collective bargaining agreement.
River Valley Elementary School district 113A, located in Lemont, IL.
http://www.sd113a.org/business/documents/TeachersContract-13-16executed-.pdf&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwiXgr_PuHLAhVM5sYKHdLaBr8QFggEMAA&client=internal-udscse&usg=AFQjCNEr4TGxQgltbQqUUNYqxgSJgIMPXg

2. What is a collective bargaining agreement? What people/groups of people are involved in

the collective bargaining process?

A collective bargaining agreement is a process of negotiation between employees and a

group of employers aimed at agreements to regulate working salaries. The interests of the
employees are commonly presented by representatives of a trade union to which the
employees belong. Employers and employees are involved in the collective bargaining
process because that is what its all about an agreement between the two on all
aspects; anywhere from salaries to regulations.

3. What are the teachers contracted hours and days (hours/days teachers have to be in the
school building)?

The normal workday for a full-time teacher is 7 hours and 30 minutes, Monday through
Friday. Their lunch free is duty free and lasts for 30 minutes. For part-time teachers, it
differs but does not mention hours. They are expected to attend all meetings held and
assigned by programs as scheduled by the administrator. Part-time teachers are also
assigned a normal workday by the District Administration. (page 6)
4. How much planning a preparation time do teachers in this district get each week (this
may be different at each grade level)? Is any of the time designated for certain activities
(i.e. common grade level plan time, data discussions, etc.)

The additional 30 minutes each school day was designed for teacher planning time in
grades K-5, but is incorporated into direct instructional time in grades 6-8. (page 11)

5. What is the current evaluation process for teachers?

It states that, The Board and the Union will continue to work cooperatively on the
evaluation plan consistent with the requirements of the Illinois School Code. Prior to
implementation of any change to the procedures of the evaluation plan, the
Administration will notify the Union of the proposed change(s) and, upon request, the
parties shall promptly meet to negotiate with regard to such change(s). Part time teachers
will be included in the evaluation plan. (page 12)

6. What does the document say about class size? Is there a limit? What happens if that limit
is exceeded?

The Board and the Union focus on maintaining the smallest class sizes as possible. To
determine class sizes, special consideration shall be given to the number of special needs
students (i.e. special education, Title I, and English Language Learners) assigned to a
class or team. (page 14)

7. What type of mentoring program or training do new teachers go through?

I could not find any information for new teachers on training or programs.

8. Are teachers allotted sick and personal days? If so, how many?

For sick leave, each teacher shall be entitled to annual sick leave based upon the teachers
accumulated sick leave as follows:

No. of Accumulated Sick Leave Days

Annual Sick Leave Allocation

Less than 50

10

50-74

12

75 and more

15

For personal days, each teacher will be allowed to use 2 paid days per year for personal
leave, with the approval of the Building Principal. Personal leave for part-time teachers
are limited to the length of their normal workday. Personal leave days are used for
emergencies, religious holidays, or for purposes of attending to personal business beyond
the control of the teacher, which cannot be conducted during non-school hours or nonschool days. Personal leave is not allowed on institute days, during the first or last five
days of school, for vacation, travel or other such purposes; and/or to extend a school
holiday or vacation period. If an emergency comes up, you must provide the reason for
the leave as soon as possible. However, if not an emergency, written advance notice of

personal leave is to be submitted 2 school days prior to the date of leave. Upon notice to
the Superintendent, a teacher may use one sick leave day as a third personal leave day.
(pages 10-11)

9. What is a grievance and how is the process carried out?

A grievance is a complaint that there has been a violation, misinterpretation, or

misapplication of a specific provision of the Agreement. The procedure must be acted
upon within 14 calendar days of the occurrence of the event, whatever it may be. The
process is carried out through five different steps that involve the Building Principal and
the Superintendent. (page 8-9)

10. How are teachers compensated in this district? Please provide the salary of a first year
teacher that holds a Bachelors degree for the 2014-2015 school year? What is the salary
of a teacher with a Masters degree and 15 years experience for the 2014-2015 school
year? Based on the number of days per year required and hours per day required calculate
the hourly rate for both scenarios. Take the number of days multiplied by hours worked
(i.e. 180 days X 7 hours a day = 1,260 hours). Divide the salary by the total hours (i.e.
$48,000 / 1,260 = $38.10/hour).

Teachers will be compensated in accordance with the salary schedule in Appendix A. For
the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years, teachers will receive an increase equal to the
blended Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI), as defined by the
Illinois Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, for the two tax years applicable to each
school year with a minimum increase of two percent (2%) and a maximum increase of
four percent (4%). Salary Schedules will be created once the increase is calculated. It
does not list a specific salary, it varies. (page 26 and 30)

11. How are extra duties (coaching, clubs, lunch duty etc.) compensated?

For extra duties, they are paid smaller amounts quarterly in September, December,
March, and June. (page 31)