Dear Editor,
Superintendent Edwin Diaz was quoted by the Dispatch saying, “The teachers’ attitudes at the meeting were rude and combative.” Truly as an observer of the negotiations on Thursday I am appalled at the accusation. It left me wondering if he had not been watching the district’s lawyer, Carol Stevens. When fellow teachers and staff appeared after school Thursday to view the “public” negotiations, both sides were taking a break. We were met by various members of the union negotiating team and specifically reminded about decorum. It was made very clear by our representatives that we may not engage in interactions that were taking place at the table or interfere with negotiations in any way. Each one of us was glad to abide by those rules.
As negotiations resumed, both sides took their seats at the table. What followed was the poorest display of professionalism that we have ever seen at a negotiation table. An article, that had not been thoroughly discussed prior, was agreed to be discussed. At this point Gilroy Teachers Association representative Michelle Nelson gave impacts that would need to be addressed and that is when Ms. Stevens broke what should be a professional conversation stating that Ms. Nelson was simply “grandstanding” for the audience and that her demeanor had totally changed.
There were no signs that this was the case. We listened for accelerated speech, inappropriate comments and watched for gestures to become more animated, or even eye movement to become more intense. None of these occurred by Ms. Nelson. It should be noted that we were sitting behind district counsel and had clear view of Ms. Nelson. She kept to a monotone voice and a relaxed posture. Ms. Stevens on the other hand made animated gestures and further accusations toward Ms. Nelson and exclaimed that, “This is the problem with negotiations being public.” She continued to say that the atmosphere had changed since “we” arrived. Ms. Stevens provided the largest atmosphere change when she stormed away from the table and through the doorway yelling, “We can caucus anytime we want!”
Ms. Stevens’ caucus resulted in several viewing teachers leaving the negotiations. Three of us middle school teachers stayed to see the finale of this negotiation process. Approximately a half an hour later, Ms. Stevens reappeared with her team. Each side took their respective positions at the table and it was like watching a rerun. Ms. Stevens began by saying that she was disappointed and personally hurt.
Since when did “personal” enter into a negotiation that includes over 400 people? From a lawyer? The three of us watching could not believe our ears as she continued by stating that she as well as Assistant Superintendent Linda. Piceno had given up important meetings to be here today and there were other places they could be. First off, negotiations are an “important” meeting, and secondly, our students are important and they went without four of their teachers Thursday since they are representatives of the union.
The dramatic event reached its epiphany when Ms. Stevens once again removed herself from the negotiation table and when asked by the union representatives when they would meet again, there was a response from Ms. Piceno, with her back turned to the representatives, she would be in touch with Phyllis Bartu, the lead union negotiator.
Neither side is always 100 percent correct all the time, but on this above occasion, Thursday night, the district lacked composure and proper negotiation skills. So you decide who was “rude and combative.”
Kristen Shouse and Laurie Avey, Brownell Middle School Teachers
