C. In the event the parties commence negotiations for a successor Agreement as provided herein, and such negotiations are not concluded before August 31, 2010, then, in such event, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until a successor Agreement is executed; but in no event beyond August 31, 2011.
Could this "evergreen clause" finally give the Committee the leverage it needs to make some important contract revisions?
Why would that be a good thing?
Overlooking the opportunity to restructure payroll and benefits costs, this could provide an opportunity to "re-visit" language and work rules in several other areas -- the starting date of classes, staff attendance policy, scheduling, review procedures, grievance procedures, etc. This could begin to give the Administration the tools it needs to start operating schools where employees are expected to do their job correctly or be terminated. There would be no union intervention if you didn't do your job, got arrested, or were found to be too "impaired" to do what you were being paid to do.
Is this legal?
I'm not a lawyer -- nor do I play one on TV. But last October the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in a case involving the Boston Housing Authority that muncipal contracts are limited to three years and can not be extended under the terms of an "evergreen clause". In supporting this ruling, The Mass Municipal Association wrote
This SJC decision is a major victory for the taxpayers as its main effect will be to take away the union incentive to drag out contract negotiations for months and sometimes years after the contract has expired in order to increase leverage for their demands, with no downside to their dilatory tactics. (Click here for full letter).There is also a good news article on the impact this ruling has on local governments (click here).
Have you no respect?
I have great respect for the teaching profession and a great many of it members. My mother was a teacher, my daughter is studying to be a teacher, my kids have all had (and still have!) some great teachers. I recognize that I don't have the patience to be a teacher -- although I have certainly benefited from many great teachers over the years. I think good teachers should be given incentives to stay in the profession. I think it is outrageous that a union can force a District to keep people who aren't great teachers. These people negatively impact not only their students but the reputation of their colleagues. I also think it is completely unfair that enthusiastic, well-trained, teachers are terminated every year while others who have not updated a lesson plan since 1982 are not only retained, but also given a raise.
The SEA contract expired on August 31, 2010. It has been in negotiation since 2009. Recognizing that no progress was being made, a prior School Committee called for outside mediation in 2010. Nothing has been heard since. Recently a school dance was cancelled because the teachers union was unwilling to provide chaperones without a new contract. (Despite the fact that, under the terms of the existing contract, teachers are entitled to $90 "extra duty compensation" to attend a school dance.) I assume these small-scale job actions will increase as the union begins dragging more parents and students into their contract battles.
Maybe the idea of having the entire contract re-written will offer incentive to resolve the situation?
Maybe the idea of having the entire contract re-written will offer incentive to resolve the situation?
18 comments:
More holding parents and students hostage. Will it never end? Please let some rational leadership get hold of the union.
I agree. The teachers have got to elect new leadership or they will get nowhere.
Its gotten ridiculous -- like watching a bad cartoon.
I am starting to believe that we may need to be like Providence RI and fire everyone. The union has to go. Today's article in the Enterprise was the final straw - telling teachers to stop all 'extras'. My response on the marketing question is that until this kind of publicity/reality ends, a million dollar marketing budget will not attract students here. Why are people going to Sturgis - because there is no union influencing the teachers and administrators. Teachers are able to teach and educate students.
Whos carlisle kidding? They dont volunteer for anything... They get paid for every event or activity they do afte regular hours.
If any teacher refuses to write a college recomendation for union reasons they should be fired. There's no excuse for the shs prima donnas dragging the kids into their dispute.
Our family lived through the union action period a few years ago. Teachers hung signs throughout the the k-8 halls. It got pretty ugly when some parents with common sense had the audacity to suggest that hanging signs was pulling "the children" directly into their dispute. As far as respect goes, that's a loaded word that Ms. Carlysle is throwing around. Just for the reocrd, I don't have one ounce of respect for her nor should her constituents, however, that issue has nothing to do with the "contract". Keep a close eye on Linehan during these conversations at school comm mtgs. That little "conflict of interest" issue that she has will soon be rearing its ugly ahead again!
Youre right, there are many good teachers. There are also more than a few slackers who constantly show unrelated movies (some evn ask kids to bring in dvd's) or do foolish arts and crafts projects --- so they can wander around or talk on their phones, play withntheir computers, etc. Some of these people wouldnt last a week in the outside world.
Like everywhere, those few slackers impact everybody else --- yet the union protects them. THAT is why chartes have gotten popular --- bad employees can be fired just like the real world!!
The union has lost its perspective under the current leadership. I agree completely that any teacher who refuses to write a letter, should be fired. I certainly hope teachers aren't refusing such things, but frankly I would not be surprised if it is so.
There should be no signs in the schools at all that relate to negotiations. Frankly the unions should not be communicating with teachers or staff via school email accounts. Unions are political groups that give money to candidates. They should not be using school email accounts for political activities. They should not be using school copiers. They should not be speaking to students, parents or other teachers on school property or in school time unless for the purpose of formal scheduled negotiations.
School operations are taxpayer funded resources. We taxpayers are tired for funding union pressure on our kids and in our schools. Sandwich or anywhere USA, this has to change. All organizations that promote people hanging on to jobs to reach more retirement income are ruining our society. Where is the accountability? Look at the decline in American Schools. Where is the accountability? Look at the cuts to the Sandwich School budget in the past two years. Who do you think is responsible. What do they care when the pattern is most of any money in the budget goes to salary and benefits.
Simple question, what is the total amount district wide of teacher/coach stipends the taxpayers pay for. All those clubs that take the place in many cases as substitutes for course offerings at the HS, what does it cost the taxpayer to support such a meaningless system? How are the coaching stipends determined? How come as in the case of the very expensive cheerleading, do parents pay the same for kids to get coached part time instead of full time? How come fine arts stipends are a fraction of athletic stipends? Harder question? What does this stipend cottage industry really cost our school system in terms or status and progress? Break it down to K-8 stipend total cost and High School if you like. It would be nice to see the actually list of stipends.
The stipends for all sports and activities are listed in the contract. You can see the contract by clicking the links above or by going to the District website.
Thanks for contract info Bob!
I find it amazing that the Teachers would drag their feet for two years while other town employees give up raises and then refuse to work after their scheduled school day ---- EVEN WHEN THEY GET PAID TO DO THE ACTIVITY!!!!
How out of touch can they be ?
I haven't had a raise in 3 years --- but I'm luckier than several friends who have been laid off -- or seen their own businesses go down the tubes.
Now, some of these dolts are refusing to work after 2:30 ?
The first one that refuses to write my kid a college recommendation will quickly gain an understanding of just how out to lunch they are!
The School dept seems to have a poor legal track record -- I hope the BOS will ask Town Counsel to step in and review this?
Is Kangas still negotiating with the union. God help us!
But ... she was elected, so somebody is getting what they deserve. Unfortuanate that the kids bear the brunt of adult stupidity.
Who cares about the contract? According to the enterprize the most importsnt crisi s ---- Quick, hire a trainer!! Are hundreds dying without one?
The nonsense already started at the end of last week. An eighth grade teacher at Forestdale told the students the dance this Friday would be cancelled if parents didn't step and volunteer to chaperone because the teachers wouldn't be doing it. I can't even imagine what's happening at SHS, where the real militant union zombies reside!
That is rich about parents volunteering to chaperon dances. When my kids were in middle school parents were discouraged from chaperoning. I had an administrator tell me, "you don't want to see what goes on." That was disturbing to say the least. Going through those years with my kids I often though about that. It seems some teachers want to try and make us believe they walk on water, but in reality they just want control. Clearly, this latest exhibit of self-indugence certainly would make one pause about thinking they really care about our kids. Over the years, I have only seen a handful exhibit mature care.
TO 12;55
Just a quick comment. The SC legal track record has been excellant. See previous suits filed by the previous super. The sc has won them all. In regards to the teachers contract who has bee on the negotiating committe for the last 3 years? Not Marie!
1:09, looks like you figured out how to turn the caps off -- but still haven't found that spell checker! I would suspect that there would not have been any expensive, drawn-out legal battles needed if the SC had utilized good counsel BEFORE they were sued.
You may also want to check your facts yet again -- Marie IS in her second year on the negotiating team!
Them chaperoning parents been CORI checked?
Post a Comment