Frequently Asked Questions
For Classified Managers
How did this new bargaining unit come about?
The new bargaining unit for classified managers came about as a result of many managers approaching Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA) with workplace issues seeking assistance and relief. Recognizing the managers’ need for its own bargaining unit, AALA responded by extending assistance in sponsoring this organizing effort. AALA went into negotiations with LAUSD and secured an agreement requiring the district to provide AALA with the names and contact information of employees who qualify for membership.
How do I join?
Just fill out a confidential membership card and mail it in today! (http://www.aalausd.org/classified/Signing_Cards.pdf) The sooner the majority of folks do so, the sooner the unit will be formed and the sooner you will gain all of the protections and advantages of a bargaining unit.
Do any other school districts have bargaining units for their classified managers?
Yes, in fact there are several in California. The Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) is the largest among them. The following link will lead you to a three-year contract the OUSD negotiated with the Unified Administrators of Oakland Schools (UAOS)which represents classified and certificated managers: http://www.aalausd.org/linkto/link.aspx?id=oakland
San Diego Unified School District is home to the Administrators Association of San Diego City Schools (AASD @ http://www.aasdcs.org) that represents just classified managers. The link to their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) follows: http://www.aalausd.org/linkto/link.aspx?id=sandiego
How much will membership cost?
First, dues are tax-deductible. Secondly, dues will be determined by the new unit’s members. Members may choose to model their dues structure on AALA’s. Among the nine bargaining units at LAUSD, AALA’s dues are the lowest at $36 per month.
For that low fee AALA’s members have access to attorneys specializing in labor law, expert contract negotiators, a team of three representing members in discipline situations, analysis of board actions and budgets, weekly updates with job listings, and networking events throughout the year. AALA members also have representatives regularly advocating on their behalf with the Superintendent, at the LAUSD School Board, the Public Employees Relations Board, the State Board of Education, and at state and federal levels of government.
Will classified members have their own bargaining unit separate from certificated AALA members?
Yes. The new unit will be for the benefit of and governed by classified managers. It will have its own officers, its own negotiating team, and its own contract.
Does my job title have to be "manager"?
No, as you probably know LAUSD has many different job titles meaning a variety of things. Among terms included are "specialist", "supervisor", "head", "director", "senior", "chief," "administrator", "deputy", "coordinator", etc.
If you have received emails from AALA (rsvp@aala.us) about the new unit you are on the list provided by the district. The group represents managers from across the district and ranges from Food Services, to Transportation to Information and Technology Division to Facilities.
Why is AALA sponsoring this effort to form a new bargaining unit for classified managers?
Many AALA members are promoted to classified management positions within the district and consequently lose their representation. They regularly report missing the many benefits of membership with the AALA.
Secondly, AALA understands that when classified managers are laid-off it is often their certificated members at the school sites who are forced to deal with the impact. AALA knows the critical role classified managers play in the functioning of the school district.
What does "district represented" mean?
It means essentially that the superintendent is representing you. It also means that you are among the very few employees at LAUSD without any protection and representation whatsoever.
You have no say in your contract, no due process rights, no representation on the Health Benefits Committee, no seat at the table when decisions are being made and basically, no one there fighting for you.
Why should I join?
Times are tough at the district and there is no guarantee that things will get better. Whether it is parking fees, furlough days, calendar changes, contracting out, or worse, layoffs, district represented people are simply the easiest target of all.
The AALA team has developed significant expertise in due process rights, fighting for fair and equitable working conditions, working to get the best health benefits possible and has negotiated many advantageous contracts for their members. Classified managers deserve no less than other district employees!
What can the unit do about furlough days?
When AALA’s members were was asked to take furlough days it was able to negotiate saving over 160 jobs! When many of your colleagues were moved to B-basis they lost 40 days pay (a 15.33% pay cut) and then were hit again with furlough days! Seems patently unfair but with no one there to represent them, many classified managers had to deal with two financial blows.
The Superintendent has promised to change more managers’ calendars. Until the unit is officially formed, it cannot do much but will surely make furlough days a priority in negotiations.
What is AALA's history?
AALA has been proudly serving certificated professionals (mostly principals and assistant principals) within LAUSD for over 25 years. Since 1981 it has grown from a loosely formed association of certificated middle managers into a bargaining unit, ultimately agreeing to a formal union contract with the district in 1991.
The association has a history of successfully representing its members in a variety of venues whether it is negotiating with the Board of Education or advocating in front of the Public Employees Relations Board (PERB). In fact, AALA recently argued and won from PERB the right to represent over 60 certificated directors and other administrators.
What if I am retiring?
Your participation is as important as ever! For one, abstaining from participation means that those who follow may not have the same opportunities as you have enjoyed.
Secondly, within AALA there is a strong retirees’ contingent that relies on AALA to fight to maintain high quality health benefits, a representative to assist with health benefit issues, as well as access to many of the services regular members enjoy all for $45 a year!
Contact info: 213-484-2426
Email: rsvp@aala.us
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