Negotiations Continue on Teacher Contracts
by Rowan Beck,
December 16, 2010, page 7.....

Chittenden South teachers and school board members are still at an impasse. While teachers feel that they are coming closer to an agreement, they are still involved in negotiations. There was some movement from both sides at their last meeting December 1, but both parties agreed to reschedule after differences arose and a solution could not be found at that time. The negotiations will resume at a meeting scheduled for January 20, 2011.
Tom Scatchard, the teacher representative for Charlotte Central School (CCS), appears optimistic and was pleased by the movement at the December 1 meeting. However, he is concerned that if talks continue on for too long, it may affect faculty. “It has taken some degree of time and emotional energy so far with meetings and activities. If we resolve it soon, all will be OK, but if it keeps being an issue, I fear it will cut into morale.” He also feels that the next meeting is the “pivotal point.”
At the last negotiation meeting, faculty had sent postcards to each board member urging a settlement. A banner was hung reading, “Please settle, we are all in this together.” Teachers have been working without a contract since it expired in June 2010. At the November 16 School Board meeting, a small group of faculty came including Lynn Cluff who read a letter on its behalf. They urged the board to come to an agreement so that monies could be spent on the schools instead of “countless hours and thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees.” Teachers are asking for a fair settlement. According to Tom, he hopes for success in January and hopes that salaries stay competitive. Better, stronger teachers go where they are paid.”
Although contracts expired in June, “teachers are still covered by all provisions of all articles of the 2007-2010 contract while negotiations are ongoing,” according to Lynn Jaunich current Chair of the CCS School Board. When asked if this affects the budget process for FY2012, she stated, “The board has included 2% new money for salaries in the FY2012 budget which would be a two year contract. If new money is negotiated as part of the second year of the contract, reductions may be made in other areas including, but not limited to, further reduction in staff, increased class sizes and reductions in other services to cover the increase as needed.” Unlike Tom, she feels both sides are far from reaching agreement.
One thing both sides agree on is a two-year contract instead of the previous three-year contract. All teachers sign new contracts at the same time for varying amounts based on their level of experience.
The Chittenden South Education Association (CSEA) is recommending a freeze on the length of the school day, a restriction on meeting times that exceed the eight hour work day, an increase to the base salary to $40,540, use of professional dues paid for things that help teachers maintain their high level of professionalism and an Agency Fee, to name a few. An Agency Fee would require teachers who don’t join CSEA to pay an annual fee as a condition of employment, since CSEA represents all teachers, a requirement by law, whether they are members or not.
The CSSU Boards released an update on negotiations on December 14. According to the release, “While the parties are making progress, and the Board team remains optimistic that an agreement will be reached, the two sides are far apart regarding major issues for the first year of the contract (2010-2011). Significant progress was made regarding year two of the contract (2011-2012), which could lead to an agreement that would be in place through June 30, 2012.”
Included in the update are the most recent offers by each side in the negotiations as of the December 1 meeting. Both sides have reserved the right to revert to former positions if no agreement is reached:
Salary increase: Boards last offer for 2010-2011, Step Only (1.86% New Money). For 2011-2012: Step and Increase to Base (3% New Money). Teachers Association last offer: For 2010-2011, Step and increase to base (3.25% new money). For 2011-2012, Step and increase to base (3.25% new money).
Teachers contribution to health insurance: Boards last offer for 2010-2011, 13% (starting July 1, 2010); For 2011-2012, 15%. Teachers last offer for 2010-2011, 13% (starting January 1, 2011). For 2011-2012, 13%.
On December 1, the Board offered to agree to an Agency Fee if the Association would agree to no automatic pay increases before agreement is reached on a new contract. The Teachers Association did not accept this compromise offer at the December 1 meeting.
Early retirement incentive: For all teachers, $5,000 paid in two installments over two years if a teacher notifies the Board by November 1 that he/she will retire at the of the current school year (currently provided only to Shelburne teachers). The Teachers offer accepted the Board proposal for early notification incentive plus the right for any Board in any year to offer an early retirement program.