Pueblo teachers reject District 60’s offer to prevent strike
An offer for more compensation put up by Pueblo District 60 Thursday that would have staved off a looming strike by teachers was rejected Thursday afternoon.
The Pueblo Education Association had announced that teachers and staffers would be striking against the district on Monday in response to failed negotiations for increased compensation. Thursday, the district offered a compromise that includes a cost-of-living adjustment requested by teachers and a few other benefits.
Pueblo Education Association President Suzanne Ethredge said, “I think there is still room for the district to move and again. This is not the deal that we feel our teachers deserve, nor is it what we feel will get highly qualified teachers in front of our students, which has really been our goal all along.”
D60’s offer included a one-time payment equal to one percent of teachers’ salaries (or a one-time equal payment of $500 to all teachers), adjustments to salary schedules for 2018-2019, a cost-of-living adjustment of 2.25 percent of salary for 2018-2019, and a $30 increase in the district’s contribution to the cost of health insurance for 2018-2019.
Superintendent Charlotte Macaluso said the offer was given to PEA Thursday morning, and the union issued a survey to its members about the offer. That survey was due by 4 p.m.
That offer was rejected by teachers with the PEA. Ethredge said the offer didn’t match the recommendations made by a fact-finder in regard to teacher salaries and that they would not be making a counteroffer.
“We are not going to counter offer, we are not going to get back into the game we’ve had to play in previous years of basically countering ourselves and bargaining,” Ethredge said. “We’ve been there, done that. I have the t-shirt for it, and we’re not going to do it anymore. And so no we will not be countering this offer. Our offer is on the table.”
Ethredge said they want to keep the strike as short as possible to not interfere with students’ summer break, adding that they prefer not to strike in the first place.
The ideal agreement, Ethredge said, would be the two percent cost-of-living-adjustment payment in addition to the health insurance contribution and adjustment for the 2018-2019 school year.
District 60 spokesperson Dalton Sprouse responded to the PEA’s rejection of the offer, saying it’s “extremely frustrating and unfortunate for our employees, especially considering the good faith efforts we put forward earlier today. We feel like this was an extremely fair offer in light of our current financial constraints and we truly hope this decision represents the sentiments of their entire membership.”
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
Statement from District 60 to staff:
Good Afternoon Staff,
As we work to resolve our dispute with PEA and PPEA, I want to make sure that you receive timely and accurate information about our efforts. To that end, I want to inform you of an offer I made to PEA leadership this morning.
You have heard about the difficult budget situation we find ourselves in, and as I explained in my correspondence yesterday, funding from the state depends on many factors, and the amount the District receives can vary from year-to-year. In those years when the state provides more, we try to do more for our employees. Although the school finance act has not been finalized for the 2018-19 school year, indications are that funding may be increased this year.
Consequently, I am prepared to recommend to the Board the following compensation package for all of our teachers for the 2018-19 school year:
— A one-time payment equal to 1% of salary paid June 2018 (We shared that this could look like 1% of your salary in a one-time payment, or a one-time equal payment of $500 to all teachers)
— Steps and lane movement on the salary schedule for 2018-2019;
— A COLA equal to 2.25% of salary for 2018-2019; and
— A $30 increase in the District’s contribution to the cost of health insurance for 2018-2019.
In addition, I would recommend that we reinstate the master contract with PEA for 2018-19 year and that we enter into a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines changes brought about by our move to a four-day work week.
I believe that this package effectively provides a fair balance between the needs of teachers and the funding realities we face every year in public education in Colorado. I also believe my Board will support this.
I communicated this offer to the leadership of PEA this morning, and asked them to communicate it to you. It is my understanding that a survey has been sent to you by union leadership which is due by 4:00 today.
I think you are entitled to know what we are doing to avoid a strike, a strike that everyone agrees will do more harm than good. I ask that you let your leadership know how you feel. Again, as was previously stated, I am committed to work toward a resolution. I appreciate your dedication and patience during these difficult times.
