Labor Relations

On Sept. 26, Salem-Keizer Public Schools called for help from a state mediator to move bargaining forward with the licensed association, Salem-Keizer Education Association. This request allows bargaining to continue, but shifts it to a new format that is supported by a professional mediator.

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Tentative Agreement (PDF)

• District SEKA Tentative Agreement Article 5

Representatives from Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Salem Keizer Education Association met in successor bargaining on September 18, 2023, at the Oregon Education Association office. SKEA presented counterproposals on articles 4, 7 and 9. The district presented counterproposals on articles 1, 5, 8, 12 and 15.

Proposals (PDF)

• District Counter Proposals and Handouts
• SKEA Counter Proposals

The parties discussed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Parent/Teacher Conference Schedule.

Tentative agreements reached to date

No new tentative agreements were reached. To date, tentative agreements have been reached on articles 2, 13, 18 and 19.

Next meeting will be held on October 2, 2023

At the next meeting, the district will present counterproposals for articles 3, 16 and 17, and possibly others. SKEA will present counterproposals on articles 1, 8, 12 and 15.

Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract.

Representatives from Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Salem Keizer Education Association met in successor bargaining on September 5, 2023, at the CTEC.

SKEA presented counterproposals on articles 1, 5, 8, 12, and 15. The district presented counterproposals on articles 4, 5, 7, and 9.

The parties discussed the existing MOU about conference schedules and clarification on special education differentials.

Proposals (PDF)

• SKEA and District Counter Proposals

The next meeting will be held on September 18, 2023

At the next meeting, the district will present counterproposals for articles 1, 5, 8, and 15. SKEA will present counterproposals on articles 4, 7, and 9. The parties also plan to discuss MOUs.

Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract.

Representatives from Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Salem Keizer Education Association met in successor bargaining on August 23, 2023, at the Oregon Education Association office.

SKEA presented counterproposals on articles 3, 11, and 14. The district presented counterproposals on articles 1, 5, 8, 12, 15 and 20.

Proposal (PDF)

• SKEA and District Counter Proposals

The parties discussed the existing Memorandum of Understanding about high school a/b schedules, and it was signed by both parties.

• Memorandum Of Understanding

Tentative agreements

Tentative agreement was reached on Article 20. To date, tentative agreements have been reached on articles 2, 13, 18, 19 and 20.

The next meeting will be held on September 5, 2023

At the next meeting, the district will present counterproposals for articles 4, 5 (section A), 7, and 9 and possibly others. SKEA will present counterproposals on articles 1, 5 (excluding section A), 8, 12, and 15. The parties also plan to discuss MOUs about Parent Teacher Conferences and Special Education Differentials.

Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract.

Representatives from Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Salem Keizer Education Association met in successor bargaining on August 8, 2023, at Judson Middle School.

The parties discussed existing MOUs.

SKEA presented counter proposals on articles 1, 5, 8, 12, and section A of article 9, along with an addendum related to article 9. The district presented counter proposals on articles 3, 11, 13, and 14.

In addition, the district presented information regarding district finances.

Proposals (PDFs)

• Link to counter proposals
• Link to district finances document

Tentative agreement was reached on Article 13: Layoff and Recall. To date, tentative agreements have been reached on articles 2, 13, 18 and 19.

The next meeting will be held on August 23, 2023

At the next meeting, the district will present counter proposals for articles 1, 5, 8, 9, 12, 15 and 20. SKEA will present counter proposals on articles 3, 11, and 14. The parties also plan to discuss MOUs about parent/teacher conference schedules and special education differentials.

Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract.

Representatives from Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Salem Keizer Education Association met in successor bargaining on June 26, 2023, at the Career Technical Education Center.

District representatives presented a response to SKEA’s financial analysis that the association presented on June 12, 2023. SKEA representatives presented the association’s analysis of the district’s ending fund balance, insurance contributions, and state funding. SKEA presented counter proposals on articles 3, 13, 14, 16, 17, and 20. The district presented counter proposals on articles 1, 5, 8, and 12.

Proposals (PDFs)

• District counter proposals
• SKEA counter proposals

The parties discussed articles 4, 7, and 11. No new tentative agreements were reached.

The next meeting will be held in August 2023

No meetings will be held in July. The parties will communicate through email in the next several days to decide the next meeting date in August. At the next meeting, the district will present counters for articles 3, 11, 13 and 14, and possibly others. SKEA will present counters on articles 1, 5, 8, 12 and section A of article 9. The parties also plan to discuss existing MOUs at a meeting in August.

Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract.

Representatives from Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Salem Keizer Education Association met in successor bargaining on June 12, 2023, at the Oregon Education Association office.

The district presented information regarding the State School Fund, enrollment trends, budget projections and the general fund. SKEA presented an analysis of the district’s financial position.

The parties discussed article 4.

SKEA presented counter proposals on articles 1, 5, 6, 10, 15 and 21. The district presented counter proposals on articles 3, 13, 16, 17 and 20.

Proposals (PDFs)

• District counter proposals
• SKEA counter proposals

The next meeting will be held June 26, 2023

At the June 26 meeting, the parties plan to discuss articles 7, 11 and 4. Other articles may also be discussed. SKEA will present counter proposals on articles 3, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 20. The district will present counter proposals on articles 1, 5, 8 and 12.

No new tentative agreements were reached. Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract.

Representatives from Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Salem Keizer Education Association met in successor bargaining on May 18, 2023, at North Salem High School.

Proposals (PDFs)

The district presented a counter proposal on Article VIII (8). SKEA presented counter proposals on articles I, VIII, XV, and XXI (1, 8, 15, and 21). Both parties discussed articles XII and XIII (12 and 13).

The next meeting will be held May 31, 2023

At the next meeting, the district will present counter proposals for articles I, V, XV, and XXI (1, 5, 15, and 21). SKEA will present counter proposals on articles III, IX, XII, and XIII (3, 9, 12, and 13).

The parties will also discuss articles X, VI, XIV, XVI, XVII, XX, and IV (10, 6, 14, 16, 17, 20, and 4) if time allows.

Other articles may also be discussed.

Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract.

No new tentative agreements were reached.

Representatives from Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Salem Keizer Education Association met in successor bargaining on May 3, 2023, at the Oregon Education Association office.  

The district presented counter proposals on articles XV and XXI (15 and 21) and discussed articles VIII and IX (8 and 9). 

Proposals (PDFs)

• District counter proposal on Article XV
• District counter proposal on Article XXI

Please see the April 7, 2023, update below to find links to the original proposals. 

The next meeting will be held May 18, 2023  

At the next meeting, the district will present a counter proposal for article VIII (8). SKEA will present counter proposals on articles I, VIII, XV, and XXI (1, 8, 15 and 21). 

The parties will also discuss articles XII and XIII (12 and 13). 

Other articles may also be discussed.  

Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract. 

Tentative agreements on specific articles

In the April 20 meeting, tentative agreements were reached on articles II, XVIII, and XIX (2, 18, 19). 

• Signed tentative agreements for articles II, XVIII, and XIX

No agreement has yet been reached on the remaining articles. 

Representatives from Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Salem Keizer Education Association met in successor bargaining on April 20, 2023, at the Career Technical Education Center. The groups discussed the initial proposals shared at the previous meeting and asked clarifying questions. Please see the April 7, 2023, update below to find links to the proposals. 

Tentative agreement was reached on articles II, XVIII, and XIX (2, 18, 19).  No agreement has yet been reached on the remaining articles.  

The next meeting will be held May 3, 2023  

At the next meeting, the parties will provide responses to questions collected at the April 20 meeting. The district will present a counter proposal for articles XV and XXI (15 and 21) for discussion. Other articles may also be discussed. Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract.

Salem-Keizer Public Schools has entered into the successor bargaining process with the Salem Keizer Education Association. The bargaining process allows the parties to share and discuss contractual priorities. The current collective bargaining agreement runs through the end of June 2023. 

The parties began this process on April 6, 2023, through the exchange of initial proposals. The initial proposals detail the proposed contract changes from each party. The proposals are posted here for review.   

Proposals (PDFs)

• Salem-Keizer Public Schools proposal
• Salem Keizer Education Association proposal

The next meeting will be held April 20, 2023 

At the next meeting on April 20, 2023, the parties will discuss specific articles and may choose to present counter-proposals in an effort to reach an agreement. The discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract.

On November 1, 2023, the district received notification that the Association of Salem Keizer Education Support Professionals filed for mediation as the next step in the ongoing successor bargaining process.

“We are grateful that ASK ESP has filed for mediation,” said Superintendent Andrea Castañeda. “We share a sense of urgency to resolve this contract for the good of our students, schools, and community.”

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Successor bargaining between Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Association of Salem-Keizer Education Support Professionals continued October 30, 2023, in a meeting held at the Oregon Education Association office in Salem, Oregon. 
 
At the meeting, district representatives presented counter proposals for articles 2, 7, 10, 11, 19 and 29. Representatives for ASK ESP presented counter proposals for articles 5, 17, 18, 21 and 28. 

The counterproposals are linked below:  

• District counter proposals and handouts from October 30, 2023 (PDF) 
• ASK ESP counter proposals from October 30, 2023 (PDF) 

No tentative agreements were made.

Successor bargaining between Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Association of Salem-Keizer Education Support Professionals continued October 16, 2023, in a meeting held at the Career and Technical Education Center in Salem, Oregon. 
 
At the meeting, district representatives presented counter proposals for articles 5, 8, 18, 20, 21. Representatives for ASK ESP presented counter proposals for articles 13, 14, 15 and 22. 

The counterproposals are linked below:  

• District counter proposals and handouts from October 16, 2023 (PDF) 
• ASK ESP counter proposals from October 16, 2023 (PDF) 

No tentative agreements were made. 

The next meeting is October 30, 2023. 

At the next meeting, the association will present counter proposals on articles 5, 17, 18, 21 and 28. The district will present counter proposals on articles 2, 7, 10, 11, and 29. Other proposals may be shared and articles discussed. 

Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract.

Successor bargaining between Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Association of Salem-Keizer Education Support Professionals continued October 4, 2023, in a meeting held at the Oregon Education Association Office in Salem, Oregon. 
 
At the meeting, district representatives presented counter proposals for articles 12, 17, 22 and 28. Representatives for ASK ESP presented counter proposals for articles 10, 11, 18, 19 and 20.  

The counterproposals are linked below:  

• District counter proposals and handouts from October 4, 2023 (PDF) 
• ASK ESP counter proposals from October 4, 2023 (PDF) 

A tentative agreement was reached on Article 12: Return From Leave.  

• View tentative agreement – Article 12: Return From Leave (PDF) 

The next meeting is October 16, 2023. 

Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract. 

Successor bargaining between Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Association of Salem-Keizer Education Support Professionals continued September 21, 2023, in a meeting held at the Career and Technical Education Center in Salem, Oregon.  
 
At the meeting, district representatives presented counter proposals for articles 14 and 15. Representatives for ASK ESP presented counter proposals for articles 7, 8, 12 and 28.

The counterproposals are linked below:  

• District counter proposals and handouts from September 21, 2023 (PDF) 

• ASK ESP counter proposals from September 21, 2023 (PDF) 

No tentative agreements were made.  

Next meeting: October 4, 2023

At the next meeting, the association will present counter proposals on articles 10, 11, 18 and 20. The district will present counter proposals on articles 12, 17, 22 and 28. Other proposals may be shared and articles discussed. 

Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract. 

• District counter proposals from September 13, 2023 (PDF)
• ASK ESP counter proposals from September 13, 2023 (PDF)

• View tentative agreement – Article 16: Employee Assistance Plan (PDF)

Successor bargaining between Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Association of Salem-Keizer Education Support Professionals continued August 24, 2023, in a meeting held at the Oregon Education Association Office in Salem, Oregon.

At the meeting, district representatives presented counter proposals for articles 1, 2, 3, 4 and 9. Representatives for ASK ESP presented counter proposals for articles 6, 7, 24 and 27.

Counter Proposals

• District counter proposals and handouts August 24, 2023 (PDF)
• ASK ESP counter proposalsAugust 14, 2023 (PDF)

Tentative Agreements

Tentative agreements were reached on Article 6: Strikes/Work Action and Article 27: Personal Rights.

• Tentative agreement – Article 6: Strikes/Work Action (PDF)
• Tentative agreement – Article 27: Personal Rights (PDF)

Next Meeting: September 13, 2023 

At the next meeting, the association will present counter proposals on articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 and 23. The district will present counter proposals on articles 7, 8, 12, 13 and 16, and a partial subsection counter proposal for article 3. Other proposals may be shared and articles discussed.

Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract.

Successor bargaining between Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Association of Salem-Keizer Education Support Professionals continued August 14, 2023, in a meeting held at the Oregon Education Association Office in Salem, Oregon.

At the meeting, district representatives presented counter proposals for articles 6, 24 and 27. Representatives for ASK ESP presented counter proposals for articles 4, 5, 17 and 21. Representatives for ASK ESP also requested the district to accept a new proposal, not included in the Association’s initial proposal in April for Article 1, Section A.2.

The counter proposals in PDF format are linked below: 

• District counter proposal Article 6 from August 14, 2023 
• District counter proposal Article 24 from August 14, 2023 
• District counter proposal Article 27 from August 14, 2023 
• ASK ESP counter proposals from August 14, 2023

The groups discussed articles 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9.

No new tentative agreements were reached.

The next meeting is August 24, 2023

At the next meeting, the association will present counter proposals on articles 6, 7, 24 and 27. The district will present counter proposals on articles 1, 2, 3, 4 and 9. Other proposals may be shared and articles discussed.

Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract.

Successor bargaining between Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Association of Salem Keizer Education Support Professionals continued June 21, 2023, in a meeting held at the Career Technical Education Center. 

At the meeting, district representatives presented a counter proposal for article 5. Representatives for ASK ESP presented counter proposals for articles 21, 24, 25 and 26. The counter proposals are linked below: 

• District counter proposal from June 21, 2023 
• ASK ESP counter proposals from June 21, 2023

Tentative agreement was reached on articles 25 and 26.

The groups discussed articles 4, 6, 7, 12, 17 and 27. 

The next meeting is August 14, 2023

At the next meeting, the association will present counter proposals on articles 4 and 5. The district will present counter proposals on articles 6, 17, 24, and 27. Other proposals may be shared and articles discussed. 

Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract. 

Successor bargaining between Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Association of Salem Keizer Education Support Professionals continued on June 8, 2023, in a meeting held at the Oregon Education Association offices. 

At the meeting, district representatives presented counter proposals for articles 21, 24, 25 and 26. Representatives for ASK ESP presented a counter proposal for article 5. The counter proposals are linked below: 

• District counter proposals from June 8, 2023 
• ASK ESP counter proposal from June 8, 2023

The groups discussed articles 3 and 10. 

No new tentative agreements were reached.

The next meeting is June 21, 2023 

At the next meeting, the groups will discuss article 5. Additional articles may also be discussed. The association will present counter proposals on articles 21, 24, 25 and 26. 

Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract. 

Successor bargaining between Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Association of Salem Keizer Education Support Professionals continued May 22, 2023, in a meeting held at the Career Technical Education Center. 

The groups each presented counter proposals for article XXIV (24) and each group asked clarifying questions about the entire proposal. The counter proposals are linked below: 

• District counter proposal May 22, 2023
• ASK ESP counter proposal on May 22, 2023

The next meeting is June 8, 2023

At the next meeting, the district will present counter proposals for articles XXI (21), XXIV (24), XXV (25), and XXVI (26), and ASK ESP will present a counter proposal for article V (5). The groups agreed to discuss articles in the following priority order: III (3), X (10), IV (4), XVII (17), VI (6), XXVII (27), VII (7), XII (12). Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract. 

Representatives from Salem-Keizer Public Schools and the Association of Salem Keizer Education Support Professionals met in successor bargaining on May 8, 2023, at the Oregon Education Association office. 

The district presented the district’s initial proposal, which is posted below for review. 

• District proposal (PDF)

Please see the April 28, 2023, update below to find links to the initial proposal from ASK-ESP. 

Next meeting is May 22, 2023

At the next meeting, ASK ESP will present a counter proposal for Article XXIV (24).  

The parties will also discuss articles V, VIII, XXI, XXV, and XXVI (5, 8, 21, 25, and 26). 

Other articles may also be discussed.  

Discussion and exchange of proposals will be repeated in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract. 

Tentative agreements on specific articles 

During the May 8 meeting, tentative agreement was reached on Article XXX (30). No agreement has yet been reached on the remaining articles. 

Salem-Keizer Public Schools has entered into the successor bargaining process with the Association of Salem Keizer Education Support Professionals. The bargaining process allows the parties to share and discuss contractual priorities. The current collective bargaining agreement runs through the end of June 2023.

The parties began this process at a first bargaining session on April 24, 2023. Representatives from ASK ESP presented the Association’s initial proposal. The proposal is posted here for review.    

• ASK ESP proposal (PDF)

Next meeting is May 8, 2023 

At the next meeting on May 8, 2023, representatives from Salem-Keizer Public Schools will present the district’s initial proposal. The parties may ask clarifying questions and discuss specific articles of each proposal. The discussion and exchange of counter proposals will take place in subsequent meetings to facilitate the parties reaching an agreement for the entire contract.