NEWS
Bargaining Talks Continue Over Summer
A second session of bargaining for a new three-year contract was held on Tuesday, June 19, 2012. UTD members of the bargaining team, volunteering their time during summer break, heard district officials explain the expected budget shortfall in spite of Gov. Scott’s $1 billion enhancement to public school funding and a budget reserve totaling $132 million, which is 4.77% of the budget. This money could be used in part to enhance salaries and cover projected increases to health insurance.
President Karen Aronowitz also brought forward issues concerning some administrators’ misapplication of IPEGS, the teacher evaluation system. “Problems inherent in tying subjective ratings to performance pay are only one example of the detrimental effects of implementing Senate Bill 736,” said Aronowitz. UTD sent an IPEGS survey at the end of the school year. A nearly record-breaking number of teacher responded and a third said that they did not feel that their administrator(s) gave them a fair and impartial rating and that the procedures were not in accordance with the IPEGS contractual agreements. UTD is working on literally hundreds of cases that were called in during the last days of the 2011-12 year.
UTD also proffered three proposals that mirror AFSCME-MDCPS language on seniority for clericals, paraprofessionals, and security monitors. The language protects seniority within the district and allows for bumping rights. This language is already approved by MDCPS through its other contract with AFSCME.
UTD is waiting for responses from the district on salary proposals passed across the table at the first bargaining session. A third bargaining session is scheduled for July 10, 2012.
Click here to view UTD Proposal #2 - June 19, 2012
Click here to view UTD Proposal #3 - June 19, 2012
Click here to view UTD Proposal #4 - June 19, 2012
M-DCPS Budget Presentation - June 19, 2012