Milwaukee teachers' union asking School Board to negotiate new contracts

Erin Richards:

Citing the decision of a Dane County judge who struck down portions of a state law prohibiting most collective bargaining for public employees, the Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association is asking the School Board to negotiate new contracts with its members.

To press for action, the MTEA rallied supporters to wear red, make signs and attend the School Board's meeting en masse Thursday night.

The MTEA says a one-year contract with teachers, education assistants, substitutes and accountants could help keep qualified teachers in the classroom and help solve the district's impending teacher shortage. It would also maintain the salary structure of pay based on earned degrees and years of teaching experience for teachers.

Milwaukee's teachers have been shielded from the effects of Act 10, a state law enacted in 2011 that dramatically limits collective bargaining for most public workers and dictates higher employee contributions to benefits, because of a four-year bargaining agreement that does not end until June 30.

Teachers agreed to benefit concessions in that contract.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at March 23, 2013 1:52 AM
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