Randy Cerveny, president of the Harford County Education Association, sent the following e-mail to members on the status of labor negotiations for the current school year and a hearing held Friday before the Maryland Public School Labor Relations Board. A copy was provided to The Dagger for publication:
The Public School Labor Relations Board (PSLRB) convened a hearing in its first case since its formation.
In January, HCEA and HCPS negotiated and ratified an agreement for the 2011-12 school year that gave teachers a 3% COLA and 1.5 steps. This agreement was not funded by the County Executive.
Both parties returned to the table to address the financial aspects of the agreement. HCPS maintained that due to lack of funding by the County, no financial settlement could be reached even as small as a one time payment that would not be placed on the salary schedule.
HCEA filed a complaint with the newly formed PSLRB accusing HCPS of not bargaining in good faith and asked that they declare impasse. The PSLRB ruled that the school system did not follow the principals of good faith bargaining during renegotiations. They stated that the parties must return to the bargaining table to renegotiate. This renegotiation would take place after the PSLRB determined the amount of money that must be considered.
On Friday December 16, the PSLRB brought HCEA and HCPS together, to hear testimony about this case. Oral arguments were presented by attorneys for each side during which time the PSLRB asked for clarification on issues in this case.
At the end of the proceedings Seymour Strongin, the PSLRB chair, stated that the Board will review the testimony that had been recorded, discuss the case and issue a ruling. Both sides were strongly encouraged by Strongin to return to the table in an attempt to reach a settlement prior to the release of the Board’s decision.
Strongin told HCPS that, “any settlement must include an irrevocable commitment to fund that settlement.” No timeline was given as to when PSLRB will issue their decision, but we expect that it will be issued within 30 days.
Bottom-line – NO Bonus. No Raise. What a screw-up? I want the union gone.
ROB W: You must be a minion if you can’t understand: “The PSLRB ruled that the school system did not follow the principals of good faith bargaining during renegotiations.” That means that HCEA is the ONLY agency looking out for teachers. They are the only way teachers will get a much deserved raise. You obviously are a union buster.
To go along with what Proud said (And yes, Proud, I am agreeing with you), the statement, “Strongin told HCPS that, “any settlement must include an irrevocable commitment to fund that settlement.”” is very telling. Typically, when I have seen judges/arbitrators/mediators state something like this, one can read into how the ruling will come out. My opinion on this statement is that the PSLRB is leaning towards the teachers, and advising the school board to settle before a ruling comes down hard on them. Again, that is my opinion based on my experience, nothing more.
Anyways, have a nice day.
Well, if the School Board is forced to increase the pay of teachers and then the County doesn’t fund it, I guess that means an equivalent number of teachers will be laid off to account for the budget shortfall. Is that really what HCEA wants or, more importantly, what the average HCPS teacher wants?
It’s pretty disgusting that HCEA tied the bonus to the PSLRB hearing, rather than allowing their members to just say “Thanks for the Christmas treat” like all the other unions did. I feel sorry for the teachers who have this dunderhead for a “leader.”
There are other options…..remove extra curricular activities. Reduce transportation costs by having kids travel to further bus stops. Reducing elective courses offered. Removing some of the funding for graduations atc and having more simple events. THose are always options too. Is that what the average taxpayer wants. The labor board decision will come and leave HCPS in a quandry if not funded by the Harford County Government.
Anybody who has dealt with situations like this can see the handwriting on the wall – this will end up in court.
Yes it is the Labor Board is Binding Arbitration. That is court. It is the end the BOE will be left with you must fund this. What they cut is up to them. But even cutting employees will still mean you owe them retroactive pay. Remember you are dealing with a contract for this year. If the Labor board orders them to give everyone a step for this year then they will owe all employees money back to the begining of the year. They have no appeal route for this. It is best for the county if the BOE meets a settlement. The problem is they have to garuntee whatever settlement is funded and that will require the county council.
Sure are a lot of “if”s
one i, what the Labor Board offers!
Cdev,
Your spelling is terrible.
How much money has been wasted on Performance Matters? Over-testing? Reorganization of department chairs? Trips to China?
Don’t forget the declining enrollment again this year. Sounds like lay-offs could be an option.
I say let’s starting cutting with Tomback. No more automatic raises, let him drive his own car from Baltimore County to Harford County. Let him pay for these non essential trips out of the country.
Sounds like the start of a plan.
Sad part is, the money WAS there to fund the negotiated agreement. Craig said he could not fund it…yet miraculously, their is a surplus.
The Board should negotiate and settle NOW. The writing on the wall is pretty much against it and the HCEA would probably settle for less than the O’Malley appointed, MSTA friendly, Labor Relations Board will order!
Even sadder the surplus is 100% more then was required to fund the negotiated agreement. Meaning all county employees could have gotten this!