Labor protest for school unions

MAT-SU — Valley teachers and support staff are planning “work to contract” action starting Monday.

Work to contract means teachers and support staff in the Mat-Su Borough School District will work only the required hours specified under their contracts, Mat-Su Education Association President Jill Showman said Saturday afternoon.

Working to contract, she said, “is the most respectful way” to get the unions’ point across that they need new contracts.

She said she didn’t know how long the work action will last, but said if arbitration isn’t done this summer, then the work action could still be in effect when schools open again in the fall.

School district spokeswoman Catherine Esary said Saturday evening she didn’t know if the work action will hinder school activities.

“That’s kind of up to the employees whether it will disrupt the school day,” she said.

As for the work to contract, Esary said,” That’s what the district expects employees to do. It’s their agreement with the school district.”

The classified employees went through arbitration earlier this month and were told then that the school district was in no shape financially to offer any raises.

The Frontiersman reported April 9 that arbiter Thomas Levak wrote in his decision that the district should not be forced to give the Classified Employee’s Association members pay raises over what they earned last year.

“Quite simply, the district cannot afford to pay a salary increase, and any increase would be contrary to the public interest,” Levak wrote. “At this point, the district’s financial status is extremely fragile, and any increase in salary, regardless how small, would likely tilt the district into a position where closures and/or layoffs would be the only remedy.”

In the same report, Levak encouraged the school district to increase the employees’ contribution to their health care costs and reduce the benefits because the district is offering a “Cadillac” plan.

He also recommends a reduction in paid holidays.

The Classified Employees Association’s agreement with the district was up in June 2009 and those employees have been without a contract since. The teachers’ contract comes up again in June.

Showman wouldn’t predict how long the work action would last, but indicated it would go on until progress is made toward contract negotiations with school district officials. The two groups represent about 1,900 people.

Showman said teachers are obligated to work 7 1/2 hours each school day, but often do more off hours such as field trips, buying supplies, grading papers and helping students celebrate special events.

Under work to contract, teachers will be available only for the half-hour before and after school to meet with students and parents as part of their contract day, according to a press release for both unions. Classified staff will be available only during their contract day.

In the same press release, Classified Employees Association President Rick Byrnes said, “It will also demonstrate our determination to achieve retention of our highly qualified support staff, and that’s what’s best for the children of the Valley. It’s long past time for the district to deal with our contracts in a reasonable manner.”

Contact T.C. Mitchell at tc.mitchell@frontiersman.com or 352-2268.