VCS Teachers Still Bargaining With School District On Safety

DeLand, FL – Volusia County Schools teachers begin their school year tomorrow, even though negotiations on how to bring everyone back safely are not complete. Volusia United Educators President Elizabeth Albert said that not much has been accomplished between the Union and the Volusia County Schools District Bargaining Team. She says the most important goal for the negotiations is a safe and healthy return to school for staff and students alike. "What we know and what was publicly acknowledged at the last School Board meeting is that our School Board members have no faith  and confidence or trust in ABM to clean our schools to the level of CDC guidelines." Albert says that the union is asking that their members be able to work from home until CDC guidelines are met. "Teachers want to be with their students, they want to engage their students but they want to do so in a way that is safe. Until that time, we are asking for the ability to work remotely. We want to teach, we want to work with our kids but we can’t do it face-to-face until it’s safe." Negotiations resume this afternoon and are also scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons.