PECCA Overview and Updates
What is PECCA?
The Professional Educators Collaborative Conferencing Act (PECCA) is a TN state law that allows school unions like MNEA to enter into negotiations around "matters relating to terms and conditions of professional service" (working conditions and other topics of concern). It's the process through which we negotiate and update our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the document that outlines your rights as a certificated employee.
How is MNEA involved in PECCA?
At the end of 2019, MNEA won the vote to represent all certificated staff in negotiations. Because of the COVID pandemic, both MNEA and the district agreed to delay negotiations for several months. At the end of the 20-21 school year, an agreement was reached between both parties and a new MOU was signed in August 2021. This agreement is good for three years. Prior to the expiration of the current MOU, certificated employees will once again have to petition to re-negotiate the MOU and then vote to elect MNEA to represent them in negotiations. Due to the dynamic nature of our profession, PECCA does allow MNEA and the district to revisit five issues in the MOU every school year—these are referred to as "reopeners."
Two weeks ago, the MNEA conferencing team sat down with the district’s team to start the process of reopening the MOU. These five issues will count as the five reopeners for the 21-22 school year, as they had to be deferred because of MNPS staffing issues. As a result, there will be another reopening period of an additional five issues in the spring for the 22-23 school year.
What is Being Negotiated?
The reopeners from 21-22 currently being discussed are:
MNEA -
Teacher of the Year - Clarifying language around vote tabulation, timeline for the process, tie breaking, and nomination process.
Faculty Advisory Committees - Expectations around resolving issues brought by FAC.
Non-Instructional Work Day - MNEA has yet to provide suggested changes to the MOU to the district on this topic. This will be presented at a future meeting.
National Board Stipend - MNEA has yet to provide suggested changes to the MOU to the district on this topic. This will be presented at a future meeting.
In Lieu of Sub Pay - MNEA has yet to provide suggested changes to the MOU to the district on this topic. This will be presented at a future meeting.
MNPS - (Currently, MNPS has selected only four reopeners of the five they are eligible to present.)
Retention Committee - Adding personnel to both MNEA team and district team.
Charter School Leave - Rescinding policy.
Leave Without Pay - Clarification around employment while on leave.
Bereavement Leave – the district has yet to present their suggestions for changes to current MOU language.
You can download a copy of the current MOU here: Click Here