Union, district told to resume talks on teachers' pact

An arbitrator sent representatives from the teacher's union and the Clark County School District back to the negotiating table Wednesday after three days of meetings.

"They're close," Oakland-based arbitrator Franklin Silver said. "I'm hopeful it can be resolved."

It was a somewhat unexpected turn in the high-stakes negotiations, the longest ever between teachers and the district.

Both sides began meeting with the arbitrator on Monday in a final attempt to settle a dispute over a 1 percent pay increase.

The arbitrator was expected to hear both sides this week, then choose one or the other in an all-or-nothing decision without crafting a compromise. Silver said that was a last resort he believed may not be necessary.

The two sides in April decided to use an arbitrator after months of discussions broke down, including meetings with a mediator.

But chief negotiators for both sides seemed willing to take one last shot at a compromise. Neither side would discuss details about where the talks were headed.

When asked whether the two sides were closer after three days of meeting with the arbitrator, Clark County Classroom Teachers Association negotiator John Jasonek said simply, "Yes, we are."

"We've had fruitful discussions," chief district negotiator Edward Goldman said.

The sticking point has been a salary increase. Teachers likely will get a 3.25 percent raise retroactive through last year, as well as a 3.25 percent raise for the coming school year.

At issue has been whether they also will get a 1 percent "bonus" for each of the two years -- the district's offer -- or an additional 1 percent added to their salaries permanently, which is what the teacher's union has requested. That represents thousands of dollars over a teacher's career, Jasonek has said.

The 1 percent represents about $13 million a year.

Teacher negotiators have tried to make the case that the district can afford the permanent 1 percent increase. District officials have said they cannot, given the limited funding they receive from the state Legislature.

Now both sides by law have another three weeks to iron out a deal themselves. If they cannot, they will call Silver back to render a final decision. Superintendent Brian Cram said district negotiators will advise the board "in the near future" about the negotiations before the two sides meet again.

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