TEACHERS, DISTRICT STUCK STATE MEDIATOR SOUGHT TO RESOLVE UNION DESIRES ON PAY RAISE, INSURANCE.Byline: Karen Maeshiro Staff Writer PALMDALE - A state mediator mediator n. a person who conducts mediation. A mediator is usually a lawyer, or retired judge, but can be a non-attorney specialist in the subject matter (like child custody) who tries to bring people and their disputes to early resolution through a conference. will be called in to try to resolve an impasse im·passe n. 1. A road or passage having no exit; a cul-de-sac. 2. A situation that is so difficult that no progress can be made; a deadlock or a stalemate: reached an impasse in the negotiations. declared in contract talks over Palmdale School District The Palmdale School District is a school district that serves a major part of the city of Palmdale, California (USA). The Palmdale School District was first formed in 1888. Approximately 28,000 students are enrolled in the Palmdale School District. teachers' pay and benefits. The teachers want a 4 percent raise and fully paid medical insurance, but district negotiators have said the district can't afford a raise and need to put a cap on employer contributions toward teachers' health insurance. ``We felt we've been available to make movement. We don't feel the district was able to make any movement. If you get to the table and nothing is happening, there is no need for people to sit,'' said Simone Zulu, president of the Palmdale Elementary Teachers Association. The impasse was declared by both sides following a negotiating session on Monday. The contract talks are for the school year 2003-04. A state mediator will now be sent in to try to resolve the deadlocked dead·lock n. 1. A standstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting forces or factions. 2. Sports A tied score. 3. issues. Palmdale is at least the second Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley district this year to have teacher contract talks come to an impasse. Westside Union School District teachers declared an impasse in their talks with the district in October. Palmdale teachers have gone the past four years without a pay hike and are asking for a 4 percent raise retroactive Having reference to things that happened in the past, prior to the occurrence of the act in question. A retroactive or retrospective law is one that takes away or impairs vested rights acquired under existing laws, creates new obligations, imposes new duties, or attaches a to July 2003, said Pauline Winbush, director of personnel. ``The biggest sticking points sticking point n. A point, issue, or situation that causes or is likely to cause an impasse. Noun 1. sticking point - a point at which an impasse arises in progress toward an agreement or a goal are health and welfare benefits,'' Winbush said. Under one proposal, school officials said they are offering to pay for health insurance coverage costing up to $15,550 starting in the current school year, $3,000 more than offered by any other district in the valley. Officials say the total cost of medical benefits probably would not exceed that cap for 1 1/2 years. Another proposal is to cap benefit payments at a lower amount and pass on the savings on to teachers. The Palmdale district last had an impasse in teacher contract talks two to three years ago but both sides were able to resolve it before it got to the fact-finding stage, Winbush said. The district has more than 1,000 teachers. Karen Maeshiro, (661) 267-5744 karen.maeshiro(at)dailynews.com |
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