MCS teachers and administration settle on a contract
Manchester Jr/Sr High School
by Sara Swanson
In November we reported on the stalled contract negations between the teachers union, the Manchester Education Association (MEA), and Manchester Community Schools. At the time they’d participated in 18 bargaining sessions and the teachers were reporting that they were not optimistic that would receive an increase to their pay scale. The payscale, which they usually move up annually, hadn’t been increased in 12 years, a situation that they argued contributed to a high turnover in teaching staff. We can now report that as of December 30, the teachers have a contract.
Manchester High School teacher Devin Girbach, who also serves as the President of the Manchester Education Association explained that on December 18 the MEA’s team met with administration’s team and a mediator for the fourth time. They remained bargaining until about 11pm that evening and walked out with a tentative agreement. Two days later, on December 20, the MEA ratified the tentative agreement with an overwhelming majority. Ten days later, on December 30, a special session was called for the Board of Education to vote on the contract, among other items. The contract was approved 6-0 by the Board of Education.
In the end, the contract did not result in a increases to the pay scale but did result in educators getting to move up one step on the pay scale (a 4% increase) now, and one step next year. In addition, the step freeze (taking 3 years to move up a step instead of 1) for teachers with a middle amount of seniority, in place since the mid 2010’s, was removed.
Superintendent Dr. Brad Bezeau stated, “We are certainly excited that we were able to come to an agreement with the MEA as we continue to work collaboratively and productively together to ensure the success of our students and our school community.”
Girbach is less positive about the situation. He stated, “I wish we could say we’re happy to say that the contract has been settled and we can return our full focus to what is most important, but, we can’t fully do so, yet. Despite the contract being ratified we find ourselves unable to put this behind us.”
In addition to not receiving a raise to the pay scale, he points out that the teachers were not given retroactive pay on the pay scale step that they did receive (after a 9 month negotiation), and that in order to remove the pay scale freeze for the teachers higher up the scale they had to agree to drastic consolidation and reduction to the teacher’s Schedule B pay which they receive for coaching, clubs, etc.
Teachers did also receive an additional sick day in the contract. Girbach explained that there are complexities surrounding the one additional sick day. “In order to get that we had to revert to some old contractual verbiage that makes it more challenging to use some of the time provided. In addition, Human Resources ‘pro-rated’ the additional sick day we were granted by the contract. This was done so under the general belief that ‘because the contract was signed half way through the year, the teachers get half of the additional day.’ This action has resulted in a grievance for breach of contract and The Association has also filed an Unfair Labor Practice.”
Girbach added that thanks to Michigan legislation being passed, the teachers were able to re-introduce previously prohibited negotiation topics including things like layoff and recall, placement, discipline, evaluation, and transfers. He stated, “These topics provide additional job security and protection for employees. Despite these being back in the contract, the Association feels there is still room for improvement on these matters.”
Dr. Bezeau pointed out that although there were no raises to the pay scale, the district still allowing teachers to move up the pay scale should be recognized as a win for the teachers. He stated, “The two-year agreement features a step increase for each teacher for each year of the contract that includes an approximate 8% increase for all teachers during the life of the agreement. We hope that this increase continues to show good faith with our teaching staff that ensures the commitment that we have in securing the future of our great school district.”
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