The Addison Northeast teachers Association and School Boards failed to come to an agreement during a 5 hour negotiating meeting last night.  The Boards had imposed a contract on the teachers in January.  The teachers voted to strike by next Wednesday, February 9th if an agreement is not hammered out by then.  This was the first meeting where School Board Members spoke directly to teachers.  Previously, all communications were made via the Boards’ lawyer.      

    The Boards returned to the table after saying they were done talking.  Some in the  community are taking sides.  It seems that most community members want the sides to keep talking.    There remain 6 days in which an agreement can be made before the strike date.  No further negotiation meetings have been set as of Thursday afternoon.  The two sides seem farthest apart on salary increases, the amount teachers pay for health insurance, and step increases continuing beyond the end of contracts when no new contract has been agreed upon.  

    It is hard to gauge what the effect on the 5 towns of Bristol, Monkton, Starksboro, New Haven and Lincoln will be if there is a strike, but emotions are already high on some fronts. Chittenden South School Boards voted not to impose earlier this week, and in September, the Winooski Board called in a Federal Mediator and a strike was averted in the early morning hours a strike was set to occur there.  Here is the information each side has shared regarding the impasse.

Statement from the teacher’s Association:

The Teacher’s Association continues to remain ready and able to return to the table and negotiate a contract.  

We urge the boards to do the same.

Statement from the ANESU School District:

Addison Northeast Supervisory Union

15 Orchard Terrace, Suite 10

Bristol, VT 05443

(802) 453-3657 ~ www.mtabe.k12.vt.us/anesu

MT. ABRAHAM UNION MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL ~ BRISTOL ~ LINCOLN ~ MONKTON ~ NEW HAVEN ~ STARKSBORO

PRESS RELEASE – February 3, 2011

The Bargaining Committee for the Addison Northeast School Boards met with the Teachers’ Union Bargaining Committee for over five hours Wednesday night. Various school board members spoke directly with the teachers at length to explain the reasons for their proposals.

The School Boards offered to rescind the one year imposed contract, but only if they were able to reach agreement over a three year contract. In hopes of reaching a three year contract the Boards offered the following:

1st Year (2010-11)

Salary – 2.52% for each teacher (the same as the Union’s proposal).

Insurance – Increase teacher contribution by 1% (to 11%) beginning March 1st (the same as the Union’s proposal).

Personal/Emergency Leave – Modify as proposed by the Union.

After School Meeting Time – Add an additional ½ hour per week.

Automatic Step Increases – Eliminate automatic step increases after the contract expires.

2nd Year (2011-12)

Salary – 1.5% increase for each teacher.

Insurance – 13% teacher contribution

3rd Year (2012-13)

Salary – 1.5% increase for each teacher

Insurance – 15% teacher contribution

The Board’s offer would increase teacher salaries by 5.5% over three years. It would also gradually phase in the 5% health insurance increases over three years.

The Union rejected the Boards’ last offer. The Union’s proposal is:

1st Year (2010-11)

Salary – 2.52% for each teacher (Board agrees)

Insurance – 11% teacher contribution beginning March 1st (Board agrees)

After School Meeting Time – Additional ½ hour 3 weeks/month.

2nd Year (2011-12)

Salary – 2.2% increase for each teacher

Insurance – 11.5% teacher contribution

3rd Year (2012-13)

Salary – 2.5% for each teacher

Insurance – 12% teacher contribution

The Unions proposal would increase teacher salaries by 7.2% over three years and would increase their share of health insurance by 2% over these three years. Also the Union refused to eliminate automatic step increases when the contract expires.

Even though the Union Bargaining Committee rejected the Boards’ proposal, the Boards asked them to present the Boards’ proposal to all the teachers. The Boards believe their proposal is realistic given the current economic conditions and school funding revenue reductions projected by the state. The Boards hope the teachers will recognize that the Boards tried very hard to compromise. For the sake of the students, families and taxpayers of our communities, the Boards sincerely hope the teachers will accept the three year proposal offered by the Boards.