SCEA New Employee Orientation

One typical annual salay increase negotiated by SCEA pays your union dues (SCEA, WEA, UniServ, & NEA) for:

• One Month

• One Year

• One Decade

• Your Entire Career

Answer explanation

For just a bit more than the cost of a Costco Executive Membership, you gain the support, camaraderie, services, and collective power of being part of a union! :)

The 2025-26 salary negotiated by SCEA & SCSD ranges from ~$75,000 to ~$145,000

• True
• False

Answer explanation

Our salary is among the top in the region and in the state.

Fourth Corner UniServ, the regional arm of our union, covers 34 locals and is based out of:

• Arlington

• Stanwood

• Bellingham

• Everett

Answer explanation

UniServ dues support SCEA members by providing grant funding and staff, who in turn provide direct support for:

• bargaining

labor-management

member issues / concerns

contract enforcement

professional development

grievances and arbitrations

...and so much more

These SCEA positions are all elected by members except:

• Bargaining Team Member

• Building Rep

• SCEA President

• WEA Delegate

Answer explanation

SCEA, WEA, Fourth Corner UniServ, and NEA are each governed by members who are elected to their positions. They have separate but similar deliberative structures. Among the elected positions are positions appointed by the president with approval of the executive boards.

What percentage of SCSD Certificated Staff are SCEA Members?

• 75%

• 77%

• 87%

• 97%

Answer explanation

Soon to be 100%?

What is the number one reason SCEA members give for why they are SCEA members?

• Representation

• Support

• Benefits

• Bargaining

Answer explanation

When asked why they are SCEA members, this is what they said.

Which of these benefits of union membership resonates the most?

• Bargaining power

• Saving money through member perks

• Having a voice

• Free, timely professional development

• It depends on each individual

Answer explanation

There are so many reasons to join! They're all good!

What does SCEA stand for?

• Stanwood-Camano Environmental Applicability

• Stanwood-Camano Ensures Advocacy

• Stanwood-Camano Equity Action

• Stanwood-Camano Education Association

Answer explanation

The Stanwood-Camano Education Association (SCEA) proudly represents the non-supervisory certificated staff of SCSD in Stanwood and Camano Island, Washington.

Which of these is outlined in the SCEA-SCSD collective bargaining agreement?

• Paid time off, separate from sick leave, for pregnancy loss

• Two student-free (planning/consult) periods each day for special education teachers

• The ability to accumulate up to 8 days of personal leave at one time

• If the District hires a teacher to teach two elementary grades (split class), they also must hire a .5 teacher to support the split teacher with content-area instruction.

• All of these

Answer explanation

...and that's just the tip of the iceberg. We are very proud of the gains we have made to support the professional and personal lives of certificated staff over decades of negotiations. We all have our favorite contract provisions. Hopefully you will find yours soon, too!

Why did Nyda join the union?

• Her dad made her do it

• She needed help with an angry parent

• She felt strongly about the power of a collective voice

• None of these

Answer explanation

Look... we all have our reasons! I was new and just did what I was told. It took a while for me to "get it." What is your reason for joining?