Featured In The Washington Afro NewpaperApril 26, 2010
Dear Chairman Vincent Gray:
I wanted to make you aware that the Washington Teachers' Union Tentative Agreement will provide retroactive pay raises dating back to 2007 only to 'active teachers' and 'laid off teachers'. There are concerns that this tentative agreement was negotiated in bad faith by Chancellor Rhee, AFT President Randi Weingarten and WTU President George Parker and intentionally excludes recently retired teachers and school personnel.
What is troubling is that teachers and related school personnel who worked during the terms of this contract period (2007-2012) should be eligible for retroactive raises for the time that they worked. No collective bargaining agent nor the District of Columbia government should enter into an agreement that extends rights and benefits to only some union members while excluding other eligible union members. This is tantamount to cheating people out of raises that they are entitled to and subsequently shortchanging their retirement benefits.
I ask that as the DC City Council approaches an upcoming hearing to discuss the feasibility of funding the WTU Tentative Agreement, that the exclusion of providing retroactive pay raises to eligible members be addressed with Dr. Gandhi and Chancellor Rhee. Certainly excluding entitled union members under this Tentative Agreement could pose a liability for the District of Columbia government and is not consistent with past practices. This matter needs to be explored further by the Committee of the Whole. I have utmost faith in your willingness to investigate this matter. If you require further information, please feel free to contact me. Thanks for your attention. I remain
Sincerely,
Candi Peterson
Washington Teachers' Union Board of Trustee member
Posted by The Washington Teacher, featuring Candi Peterson- blogger in residence
16 comments:
I guess it was no point in being a union member for all those years. At every turn DC teachers get screwed.
But it's "for the children" remember? Screwing teachers is in these days.
Somehow being unfair to teachers translates into being good for kids. Probably overpaying headquarters staff can be interpreted as being good for kids too.
This is simply amazing. Has anyone seen Rhee's contract? I bet she has benefits and bonuses up the yazoo !
Candi, what are you willing to give up to get the additional pay for retired teachers?
The first three comments show late-stage zero-sum thinking. Teachers will not gain anything by harping on those things. Educators need to focus on educating. If there were a lot more of that going on there would be less smoke and fire in the air on issues such as pay and benefits and RIFs. BTW, Candi, good letter to Gray. Let's see if he engages or ducks it.
Thank you Candi for bringing this important fact to the attention of everyone. I think that anyone that is considering voting for this contract is a sell out along with George! How can you consider signing something that will sell out your co-workers there is no raise worth that. People who worked for DCPS for 20 and 30 and have retired in the last three years are now being screwed out of a lot of money. It is not just about the retro pay but it also effects their monthly income forever, it changes their salary that they retire under. Is it their fault that George could not deliever a contract before they retired? The only reason why he included the RIF'd teachers because he thought that would shut them up. KEEP FIGHTING THIS CONTRACT MUST NOT PASS!!!!
Everyone needs to write the city council a letter about this newest injustice. Michelle Rhee will be before them on Friday.
Wonderful letter Candi!
Thank you Candi!
Add this to today's article in the WP regarding strings attached to private funding of the contract and it becomes more obvious that GP and Rhee must go.
Anonymous @ 7:41
I just don't get your question. It is not about what I am willing to give up. It should be about negotiating a contract that is fair to teachers like the AFT slogan suggests.
I am confused as well what do you mean what is she willing to give up?
DCPS gets money from private sources ONLY if RHEE stays on as chancellor. Well how is that for an honest negotiation.
Funding Will Not be Certified
http://www.wtop.com/?sid=1944395&nid=25
BLACKMAIL BLACKMAIL BLACKMAIL
I THOUGHT WE WANTED TO HELP CHILDREN. I AGREE WITH THE OTHER WRITER SCREWING TEACHERS IS IN THESE DAYS. ANYONE WHO WOULD CONSIDER VOTING FOR THE CONTRACT IS CRAZY. IT IS ALL A TRAP TO GET TEACHERS WHO LIVE IN DC TO VOTE FOR FENTY. THEY REALLY BELIEVE THAT WE ARE THAT DESPERATE FOR A RAISE. WE NEED TO GO ON STRIKE.
THE NERVE OF THEM TO TELL US THAT WE CAN NOT HAVE A RAISE IF THE WICEKD WITCH IS LET GO. THROW HER AND FENTY OUT WITH THE GARBAGE
Anon @ 6:21pm
Blackmail? What are you talking about? Can you clarify please?
I am disturbed, this contract is not about a few shillings. This contract in effect will be used to get rid of most of the teachers in DCPS, with the first wave being dumped in July. No one seems to be focused on anything but a few dollars. Neogotiating your way out of the door to nowhere.
What a strange group!
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