Teachers dispute value of 6 percent raise offer

Anger and frustration over salaries and time met the bargaining team of the Collier County Education Association, the group that represents about 80 percent of the district’s teachers, as they answered questions about a tentative contract between the teachers and the district Thursday.

Wednesday night, both sides agreed that the teachers would receive a 6 percent increase across the salary schedule for the 2006-07 school year. That means teachers with zero to three years experience and a bachelor’s degree would be paid $38,198, which is an increase over the current $33,226 to $36,036 they are being paid now.

Teachers with 16 to 19 years of experience and a bachelor’s degree will be paid $58,812, an increase over the current $54,341 to $55,483 they are being paid now.

But teachers had to make a concession for the 6 percent across the board. Under the proposal, all teachers will remain at their current step, which is measured by years of experience, for the 2006-07 school year. The teachers will move up to the next step in the 2007-08 school year, according to the agreement.

Some teachers will lose more than others. Those who have put in 19 years with the district and are expected to go on longevity pay next year will have to wait until their 21st year of service.

“The negotiating team made a decision and we as a team agree to it,” said Cal Boggess, chief spokesman for the union’s negotiating team. “This is the best deal we thought we were going to get. Is it good for the current living conditions in Collier County? No. But in all of my years of negotiating, it is the best deal we have ever gotten.”

Many of the 30-plus teachers at the meeting did not think so.

“It is great that we’re getting a raise. That’s wonderful,” said Annette Miller. “But don’t sell it to us like it’s 6 percent, because it’s not.”

April Mapes, a teacher at Oakridge Middle School, said the raise actually was about 2.7 percent over what she would make next year without raises at all. She brought a handout given to many teachers that showed teachers what they would receive over the step pay if it still existed.

“It’s misleading. It is not a 6 percent raise to my salary. They gave us a 6 percent raise, but they are taking back most of it by freezing the steps,” she said. “On top of that, the cost of insurance has increased 18 percent for a family (plan). How can the superintendent and the School Board look any teacher in the face when offering 6 percent to us and giving the superintendent and his wife free health insurance for life? It’s ridiculous.”

Schools Superintendent Ray Baker received free medical insurance and free prescription drug coverage for himself and his spouse for life under his contract, which the School Board ratified last year by a 3-2 vote.

Members of the union bargaining team told teachers the increase was 6 percent more than they currently had and explained that the steps feature of their contract is a negotiated item. Step increases are not automatic or guaranteed, said CCEA President Von Jeffers.

“This is an honest 6 percent raise over what you have now. We wanted to get the most teachers up to the top of the scale to earn what they are worth. This will put more money in your pockets,” he said.

Others were frustrated by the time teachers had to vote. Ballots were delivered to the schools Thursday and teachers must look over the ratification documents and vote today.

“We were hit with this at 7:30 this morning and we have to make a decision tomorrow. This is our lives,” said Colleen Witzke, an Avalon Elementary School teacher. “It gives us no more time to crunch the numbers. The reality is this looks pretty and it will help the new teachers. But what about the rest of us?”

Many wanted to wait until Monday to hold the vote, arguing it would give teachers more time to look over the contract. Several teachers speculated that the district was forcing the bargaining team to get the contract ratified so district officials could tell new teachers at the recruitment fair Saturday, June 10, that they would earn $38,198 in starting salary.

Jeffers said those accusations were untrue and the vote could not be delayed until Monday because the ballots had gone out and the teachers had been told Friday would be the deadline for the ballots.

If a majority of teachers vote against ratification, the teachers and the district will have to return to the table with a new bargaining team.

If that happens, teachers would make what they currently make, without the step increase, until a new contract could be ratified.

A provision in the current teacher contract states, “Effective July 1, 2006, increments shall be paid following the ratification of a successor agreement.”

July 1 is when the current agreement ends.

So, no new agreement, no new increments.

Sharon Hardman, a Golden Gate Middle School teacher, urged teachers to vote what they think is best.

“Personally, I am going to vote no. You have to vote on this contract what you think is best for you. I think it is up to those of us who are here tonight to try to tell as many facts as we can to the people in our buildings so they can make an informed decision,” she said.