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Dear Colleagues,
As
promised I am writing an update to our negotiations. At this time I have
no new news to give you. We have a series of meeting dates scheduled in
August to be used for grievances and negotiations. When you return to
school your first pay check on September 15, 2009 will reflect no
increases from your last check in June 2009. What that means, people on
maximum will not show any increase in salary and people going through
the guide will not move up to their next step. When and if a new
contract is signed by both parties the raises will take effect on the
agreed date. Why we haven’t come to an agreement is simply a matter of
many core issues.
The issues still on the table such as medical benefits, longer work
days, and longer school years. There are other issues like prep periods
and pupil contact time that are very critical. This is not the first
time we have returned to work without a contract. Since the bargaining
law was passed in 1968 we have had 3 contracts agreed to before the
September deadline. In the early years the School Board would pay the
increment even though a new contract was not negotiated. Because of the
Neptune decision the law has changed and boards do not have to pay any
increments. In theory, salary guides that have expired are no longer
valid. In the new contract, salary guides will be changed automatically
and the new guides become valid. The new contract when and if we get a
tentative agreement will be presented to the membership for their
approval. If accepted by the membership it becomes effective on the
agreed date.
I
am hoping we can get this contract settled before the Governors
election. If the republican candidate Chris Christie wins we will really
have a tougher time. He has refused to even seek the
NJEA endorsement so you can expect drastic cuts in education
spending, especially the Abbot districts and also a threat to our health
and pension system. I can’t emphasize enough that your vote is needed in
this years Governors race. Compare his position on the issue listed on
another page of this newsletter.
There is no question that the welfare of our teachers and education is
best served by Governor Corzine. We are still suffering from the 7 years
of Governor Whitman’s administration, which has put our pension system
in jeopardy.
When you come back you will see changes to some services. Some will be
cut back. Remember 220 positions were eliminated for this year’s budget.
My main concern was that no teacher would be riffed. We were able to
accomplish that and the issue of starting school before Labor Day was
dropped. To give some idea of how tight this budget is, only 25 teachers
are scheduled to be hired this coming year. Many systems have cut back
staffs because of funding. As long as we stay united we will survive
this crisis.
I
hope that you enjoy the remainder of your summer and I look forward to
seeing you in the fall. I will be visiting each of your schools to speak
with you in regard to your needs and concerns.
I
hope that you enjoy the remainder of your summer and I look forward to
seeing you in the fall. I will be visiting each of your schools to speak
with you in regard to your needs and concerns.
Stay tuned. Stay healthy. And stay united.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Favia
President
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