ORANGE : Union Chiefs May Sue Over Teacher Contract

Officials of the union that represents Orange Unified School District teachers said Monday that they are prepared to issue a legal challenge to the school board if necessary to win ratification of a new teacher contract.

“Our attorney said the fact that they refused to validate their own deal is an unfair labor practice,” said Sheryl Stevens, executive director of the Orange Unified Education Assn. “Nothing precludes the parties talking to each other, but we don’t have a lot of reason to trust this board.”

The teachers have worked for a year without a contract. A pact was ratified June 9 by the 1,200 teachers of the 36-school district, but trustees voted to postpone action on it.

The main sticking points, trustees said, are the level of contribution the district would make to a health benefits trust, and a clause that would give benefits to part-time teachers.

The contract would restore part of a 2.59% salary cut that the teachers accepted in the 1993-94 school year.

Chief district negotiator Jack Elsner said the next move is up to the school board, which has said it will seek modifications to the contract.

Stevens said Monday that the union has received no formal request to return to the bargaining table.