ESEA Members’ Facts & Information

   Budget Cuts & You- The ESP!

The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA or Contract)

* Without ESEA there would be no contract.

* Our current contract will be up for re-negotiation in June, 2009, but the

  Contract will remain in effect until a new one is negotiated.

* ESEA has always negotiated your contract with CCSD that protects your

pay & benefits.

* CCSD has given every indication they have a legal obligation to honor your contract.

* Without your contract you can bet there would be immediate pay cuts, suspension of all step increases, salary advancements, PERS contributions, insurance subsidies & Seniority status.

* ESEA represents ALL seven job families of Education Support Professionals (ESPs) in CCSD that includes: Paraprofessionals, Operations, Transportation, Clerical, Food Service, Technical, & Skilled Trades.

Job Security

* Transfers/ Surplus will take place as described in your Contract.

* CCSD has stated Transfers/ Surplus will take place as stated in your contract.

* If & when RIF (Reduction-in-Force) occurs ESEA members can rely on the Association & CCSD to abide by our contract as stated at our General Membership Meeting at Chaparral High School Gym by CCSD & ESEA. RIF means layoffs while Surplus means Transfers.

* Employees who accept other positions during RIF have a right of return to their former position for two (2) years according to our contract.

* Surplus and RIF are based on District-wide Seniority by adjusted hire date.

Your Pay & Benefits

* CCSD has stated they have a legal obligation to pay all negotiated salary & step increases.

* ESEA will do everything we can to protect your important pay & benefits.

* There would be absolutely no guarantees on any of your rights without ESEA!

* Once anyone aggress to give up a benefit, it’s almost impossible to recuperate that benefit or potential benefits.

Impact of Imposed Budget Cuts

* If the Legislature cuts education funding & CCSD leaves our pay & salary advancement alone, then cuts will result in NO supplies at all, bigger class sizes, & cuts in programs & services. Think of how this would affect our ESPs & our students.

* Members of the public will accuse ESPs & teachers of being selfish but they don’t realize that Nevada has behind the national average for decades when it comes to funding education and paying good wages to ESPs & teachers.

Failed Tax Structure & Solutions

* There is no state income tax, a lost source of revenue.

* Inability to raise local & county taxes as they do in other states.

* Majority of taxes based on gaming or sales tax

* The Nevada budget: like robbing Peter to pay Paul as new residents continue to move into Nevada.

* ESEA, CCEA, & NSEA all fought to pass the Room Tax Initiative as an additional source of revenue & developed proposed solutions to fix the broken tax structure.

* Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce aggress something has to be done to prevent budget cuts---does this mean they would consider taxes?

The Legislative Fight

* ESEA will be part of the NSEA Lobby Team: ESEA President will represent you on the team.

* ESEA will be communicating with ESEA Members in various ways, such as through the ESEA website (www.esea-nv.org), e-blasts, Hotline (794-2537), etc. Go Green with ESEA!

* ESEA website will have legislative info & ways for ESEA Members to become involved.

* ESEA has revived its Legislative Advocate Program, pairing southern Legislators with members. Join today at www.esea-nv.org, click on Legislature 2009 or call 794-2537, press “4”.

* ESEA is asking ESEA Members to contact Legislators with specific messages concerning legislation impacting their dap, benefits, & work environment.

         ESEA is supporting all pro-public education legislation.