The LNEA team made two new proposals at today's negotiations session. The first proposal asked for vertical movement for all teachers who continue with the district in 2014-15, with back pay paid as a lump sum. The district's response was that "if the co-op doesn't dissolve we would be required to give step movement and we don't have that authority."
They also stated that assuming they agreed, the money they've been budgeting for increases next year would be gone at the beginning of the year with the lump sum payment. They reiterated their offer of a one-time $500 payment.
In the interest of settling this so that we can begin work on next year's agreement, we made a final offer that would give all teachers a one-time $500 payment immediately. At the beginning of 2014-15, teachers who should have gotten movement in 2013-14 would get step movement and start getting paid for it next year. Teachers who have earned lateral movement would receive back pay. There would be no back pay for vertical movement; the step would begin in the fall of 2014.
The district's response to this was again, "The issue with it is that if the co-op doesn’t dissolve we do not have authority from the SAB to move [teachers] up automatically a step. The SAB has specifically instructed us that they do not want special education teachers moved up a step because that would require them to match it next year if the coop dissolves and pay them at that level. If the coop doesn’t dissolve, the district is charged under this to move the step up which costs more in the next budget and then we have basically usurped our powers under the co-op agreement."
We have asked them to present this offer to the SAB. We have been told they are budgeting to pay for increases for next year and this proposal does not exceed that.
The LNEA team is exasperated by feeling as if we are bargaining with the superintendents of 6 school districts instead of the Board of Education of USD 453.
However, as the district's negotiator said, "We are stuck by certain confines. If we had a crystal ball and knew that we were going to get approval, that is a huge factor that is off the table."
Thursday, March 6, 2014
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Thank you for all the hard work you have done for us. I know you always do the best you can. I will agree with what you think is the best. You are there and you know better than anyone what the mood is.
ReplyDeleteThe past few years have been a struggle for those of us who are bottomed out and near retirement. The future is not bright.
LNEA received this email today:
ReplyDeleteI am retiring and so I would like my longevity pay increase that was to happen this year and a raise. I never expect much in the way of a raise but since I am not continuing with a district that will pay me more as they told you I would appreciate a raise. Can you check on the longevity pay and if we will get that. This affects my KPERS pay of course. I would appreciate a response.
In response, lateral pay (for teachers who have taken classes or earned new degrees) and longevity pay have been agreed to by both parties in the negotiations. Once we settle for 2013-14, teachers should get those pay amounts for the entire year.
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