Negotiations

Update
October 25, 2012 The CTA Negotiations Team met with the Districts Team on Tuesday, October 23rd from 9:30am to 12pm to continue contract negotiations. FYI, the Palm Beach Post got it wrong; teachers at the top of the schedule would receive a $1000 raise. Unfortunately, neither Superintendent Gent nor COO Mike Burke presented any options that reflect step movement. However, they seemed to be more willing to look at options other than a min/max salary schedule. CTA members cannot rely just on the words of the Districts team alone. We must ensure that those school board members who ran for election and promised to step up for steps require the Superintendent and COO to put the money on the table for steps movement. During the meeting, CTA presented several key proposals to the District in a package: Automatic step increases for qualifying employees taking effect on January of each year. One step increase that will be retroactive to August 2012 plus $1000 increase for teachers at Step 27 of the salary schedule raising their salaries from $71,745 to $72,745. A redesigned salary scheduled consisting of 20 steps. Starting teacher salary would increase to $40,000 and the ending salary would be $72,745 a year. This schedule would compress steps 1-6 and compress steps 24 through 27. The new schedule would be implemented over the next year and a half and would include another step increase for qualifying teachers. (A compressed salary schedule increases teachers lifetime earnings.) A $500 HRA for all teachers implemented in January 2013. An early retirement incentive for teachers who qualify for retirement but who are not in DROP. Renewal rights for annual contract teachers who have taught in Palm Beach for three years and who have earned three consecutive effective or higher evaluations. Renewal rights for annual contract teachers who have had two consecutive evaluation of effective or higher from another school district and two consecutive evaluations of effective or higher in Palm Beach County. Priority school assignments for teachers who have earned an effective or higher evaluation. Restriction of the number of preparations a teacher can be required to teach to three preparations. The full salary schedule and proposed changes can be viewed at www.palmbeachcta.com on the negotiations page under October 23rd Package Proposal. The teams will meet again at the CTA office on Monday, November 5, 2012 from 5pm to 8pm. Take Action: A take action alert will be sent to your personal email address on Oct 24th after 4pm. If you want to be added to the CTA personal email list, click here.

This is the time to ask your colleagues to join our union and STEP UP for Step Raises! A strong union is the best way to have a united voice for public education and teachers. Debra Wilhelm, CTA President