Northwest Regional ESD (NWRESD) and OSEA Chapter 101 met on February 12, 2026, from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for a scheduled classified bargaining session. The meeting was productive, and both parties exchanged proposals.

Proposals Exchanged

Union proposals addressed the following articles:

• Article 2 - Recognition
• Article 10 - Probation
• Article 12 - Working Conditions
• Article 16 - Vacancies, Transfers, and Job Postings
• Article 24 - Contracting Out
• Article 25 - Labor Management Committee
• Article XI - Technology 

Article XI (Technology) is a proposal for a new article that is not currently included in the collective bargaining agreement. 

NWRESD proposals addressed the following articles:

• Article 13 - Paid Leaves of Absence 
• Article 15 - Paid Vacation
• Article 16 - Vacancies, Transfers, and Job Postings
• Article 19 - Layoff/Recall 

The ESD also presented a counterproposal regarding Article 8 - Personnel Records.

The ESD emphasized appreciation for the positive working relationship with the Union. The ESD’s proposals reflect that relationship and include modest updates to existing contract language. The proposed changes are primarily intended to ensure compliance with current laws and to clarify existing practices.  

Joint Communication to Employees

At the beginning of the session, both parties agreed to the revised joint Bargaining Rights Notice to ensure employees and supervisors clearly understand their rights and responsibilities during negotiations.

The next scheduled bargaining session is scheduled for March 12, 2026 at 2:30 PM.

Northwest Regional ESD (NWRESD) and OSEA Chapter 101 met on February 12, 2026, from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for a scheduled classified bargaining session. The meeting was productive, and both parties exchanged proposals.

Proposals Exchanged

Union proposals addressed the following articles:

• Article 1 - Preamble
• Article 3 - Term of Agreement
• Article 4 - Management Rights
• Article 5 - Union Rights and Responsibilities
• Article 8 - Personnel Records
• Article 9 - Discipline and Discharge
• Article 11 - Grievance Procedure
• Article 23 - Strikes and Lockouts
• Article 26 - General Provisions

NWRESD proposals addressed the following articles:

• Article 2 - Recognition
• Article 3 - Term of Agreement
• Article 4 - Management Rights
• Article 5 - Union Rights and Responsibilities
• Article 6 - Payroll Deductions
• Article 10 - Probation
• Article 11 - Grievance Procedure
• Article 12 - Working Conditions

The Union also presented a counterproposal regarding Article 6 - Payroll Deductions.

Joint Communication to Employees

At the conclusion of the session, both parties worked collaboratively to conceptualize a joint Bargaining Rights Notice to ensure employees and supervisors clearly understand their rights and responsibilities during negotiations.

The notice will outline:

• Employee rights under Oregon’s Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA), including the right to discuss bargaining, proposals, wages, hours, and working conditions
• Expectations regarding discussions during work time, including maintaining assigned duties and student supervision

• Assurances of non-retaliation for lawful protected union activity

Both parties remain committed to good-faith bargaining and continued collaboration throughout the negotiation process.

OSEA and the ESD began the process of bargaining a successor contract to replace the 2022-26 contract that is set to expire on June 30, 2026. The first meeting focused on bargaining process and outlined expectations moving forward.

• The first ground rules bargaining session was held on January 13, 2026.
• Both OSEA and the ESD came prepared with draft ground rules for bargaining.
• During the session, the two teams worked collaboratively to merge the drafts into a single set of proposed ground rules.
• The parties tentatively agreed on these ground rules, which establish the terms and structure for bargaining.

The agreed-upon ground rules will be formally implemented at the next bargaining session:

• Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 2:30 p.m.

Importantly, the ground rules reflect a shared commitment to transparency:

• Bargaining sessions will be open to the public.
• All sessions will be virtually streamed by the ESD, allowing interested staff to observe the process.

At this stage, the focus of bargaining has been on establishing how we will work together, rather than on substantive contract proposals. Additional updates will be shared as the process progresses.

Thank you to the bargaining team members:

• Ethan Akre, Support Technician 2
• Margaret Bertucci, Braille Transcriber II
• Yolanda Coleman, Director of Human Resources
• Marianne Como, SPR&I Distribution Manager
• Catherine Dalbey, Chief Human Resources Officer
• Jessica Duffett, Special Education Coordinator
• Tami Frame, Transition Specialist
• Michelle Graham, NWRESD Board of Directors
• Brian Hungerford, Attorney
• Anderson Kishlock, Senior Admin. Support
• Stuart Long, Chief Information Officer
• Lana Mann, Technical Engineer 1
• Chris Riley, NWRESD Board of Directors
• Piper Ryan, School Based Admin. Assistant
• Baylor Turnbow, OSEA Field Representative
• Jennifer Vanderschure, Director of Early Learning
• Carmen Vega-Martinez, Instructional Assistant
• Laura Weaver, EI/ECSE Site Admin. Assistant