From the Harford County Education Association web site:
The County Executive, David Craig is trying to tell the school system how to spend their money. He is not allowed to do this. It is against the law.
Why is this bad for you?
– If we allow David Craig to do this it will take away all your rights to negotiate money in the future.
– The County Executive could claim every year that there is not enough money to fund wage increases. When a surplus is miraculously found every year he could give you a one-time bonus in lieu of steps and cost of living. This is what happened this year.
– The County Executive is claiming that the $32 million dollars found this year is not recurring money. This is false. He is choosing to spend this money next year on other items instead of giving the county workers a fair share. This is not equitable distribution of money.
How does the County Council play a role in this?
– The County Council understood our dilemma and chose to amend David Craig’s bill, which allowed us to negotiate this money. They were helping protect your right to negotiate fairly.
Why did David Craig veto the County Council’s Bill?
– He does not want us to negotiate this money because it takes away his power to tell the BOE how to spend it. He wants total control of the money. He does not want to give you a raise even though the money would be in the budget next year to cover these extra costs.
Why didn’t HCEA and members have a vote on the Bonus/MOU?
– It is the expectation of the union to uphold the integrity of the collective bargaining law, rights and responsibilities of its membership.
– The membership votes on tentative agreements (TA). A TA has not been reached. When a TA is reached, it will be presented to the membership for a vote.
What could happen in the future if HCEA signs the MOU for the bonus money without having the opportunity to negotiate?
– Any County Executive in the future could purposefully not fund the BOE to keep you from receiving your steps and Cost of Living increases. When a surplus occurs they could throw a one-time payment at you. This could be used as a tactic to lower teacher wages permanently.
HCEA wants to see you get the money you deserve. YOU’VE EARNED IT! But, we cannot let the County Executive take away your legal rights in the process.
What can you do to help the Union WIN this matter & get your money?
– Call your County Council Members and ask them to override the County Executive’s Veto.
– Explain that David Craig is attempting to take away your rights to have an opinion on how this money should be spent. (If you are a taxpayer tell them so).
– Tell them that you want the bonus money, but not if it will hurt your right to negotiate in the future.
– They need to stand up for the members who voted them in office.
– Explain that they have an Ethical Obligation to protect its people.
– Tell them that you are tired of not being a priority and that this is affecting your ability to give 100% to your students due to working a 2nd job.
– Tell them that you expect future money to be distributed equitably instead of receiving 0% of the new revenues.
Office of the Harford County Council
18 Office Street
Bel Air, Maryland, 21014
Phone: 410-638-3343 Fax: 410-893-4972
County Council Members Info:
Billy Boniface – President
Phone: 410-638-3525
Email: wkboniface@harfordcountymd.gov
Dion Guthrie
Phone: 410-638-3521
Email: dfguthrie@harfordcountymd.gov
Joseph Woods
Phone: 410-638-3520
Email: jmwoods@harfordcountymd.gov
James McMahan
Phone: 410-638-3523
Email: jvmcmahan@harfordcountymd.gov
Chad Shrodes
Phone: 410-638-3524
Email: cshrodes@harfordcountymd.gov
Richard Slutzsky
Phone: 410-638-3522
Email: rcslutzky@harfordcountymd.gov
Mary Lisanti
Phone: 410-638-3526
Email: malisanti@harfordcountymd.gov
Please call personally. They are interested in how this is affecting you. Your personal story and thoughts are important and can help their decision to override a veto much easier.
What HCEA has done for you in the past.
HCEA fought for legislation that gives us binding arbitration.
– This gives the Union more power to fight for you.
– This legislation was created to keep the BOE from bargaining in BAD FAITH!
– HCEA secured from the Labor Relations Board a declaration that HCPS did not bargain in good faith.
– It can force the BOE to give up money if they are refusing to pay it to the teachers in BAD FAITH!
Why is this year’s bargaining so important?
– Harford County is the first county to go to the Labor Board.
– Our court case will be used as precedent to interpret future cases brought to them. In other words people will use our case to win their own case.
– This scares the BOE because they know they cannot dictate what happens anymore.
– If we sign an MOU for bonus money without negotiating we may lose other money currently being negotiated through the labor board.
David Craig is telling you how to spend the money he will give you as a bonus. If you have a problem with it, you get none! Good for Executive Craig! If teachers in this county ever want a fair shake, you better get control of your Union! They are ruining it for all of you!
Oh and all 3 of these statements are flat out LIES!!!
– If we allow David Craig to do this it will take away all your rights to negotiate money in the future.
– The County Executive could claim every year that there is not enough money to fund wage increases. When a surplus is miraculously found every year he could give you a one-time bonus in lieu of steps and cost of living. This is what happened this year.
– The County Executive is claiming that the $32 million dollars found this year is not recurring money. This is false. He is choosing to spend this money next year on other items instead of giving the county workers a fair share. This is not equitable distribution of money.
It is obvious that this writer and the county exective don’t know or remember the collective agreement laws that the orginized labor laws allow. Or do they think this will fly like in Wisconsin. Their govener is facing a recall.
Please explain why these are lies.
Please do not implicate the majority of teachers in this mess. This conflict clearly has less to do with teachers/students and more to do with the political aspirations of a few. If I felt I had any control over what is going on, please believe I would be on the front lines. However, I know that I don’t have any say. I’m tired of hearing about it, I’m tired of defending myself against it, and I’m tired of “fighting”.
Tired Teacher, what have you done to get real union representation?
as a parent… you seem bit unsupportive of your child’s teachers.
and you sound like a Union Thug. I support my childs teacher, who is not a union member! The only thing worse than Cerveny is Baltimore Counties lying disgraceful union president!
And would you still support that same teacher if she was in the union even though nothing about her teaching changed?
This is a prime example how the unions have outlived their usefullness.
The union has taken a gesture of thanks and generosity and turned it into a method to secure pay raises that are not fiscally sound at this time. The fact that any municiple employee (BOE employee’s included)can reasonably expect a raise when the rest of the country, let alone county, is struggling through an economic downturn is ridiculous.
To throw accusations that Mr. Craig’s actions are trying to subvert future pay raises is also ridiculous. When times were better, he did give raises, and he did so across the board, just like he was trying to do this time. But for the union, that wasn’t good enough.
Unions served a purpose when working conditions were horrific and workers were not protected by law. Now, this union has taken a small benefit presented to the employees it represented and twisted it into something negative in order to try to suck more out of the government.
Remember, Mr. Craig could have not tried to help the employees of Harford County and BOE at all. Now, it appears you are fulfilling that option on your own for those you say you represent.
Could you please explain why the salary step, which are not raises, are not fiscally sound at this time?
Mr. Cerveny,
Pleas stop. You are flat out wrong. Mr. Craig is just trying to protect the taxpayer from your ineffective union games. And to make matter worse, you rejected his generosity. He did not have to offer a bonus to the Board of Ed. They have their own surplus which they fail to mention, well. I can’t wait until we get rid of the union.
There is nothing generous or innocent about this. It is a strategy to undermine Maintenance of Effort and Collective Bargaining. It is designed to pit employees against each other to hide the fact that things aren’t as dire as presented and never have been. It is a deliberate and strategic manipulation. Look at the budget number 607million in tax revenue last year is only 10 million less than pre-recession levels with a lowere tax rate. Does that sound like the county is having fiscal issues to you?
I’ve read a lot about this the last few days as I am a very interested party. My spouse is a teacher in Harford County. The bottom line is this: The County Executive made an offer to pay employees a bonus, which would have been nice considering the state of the economy and it is Christmas time. The head of one of the five affected unions said no thanks, we don’t want it (bad choice), Criag says cool, I’ll take it back then, and for some reason the Executive is vilified? The anger should be geared towards the head of the Union (who by the way makes a six figure salary). Shame on the HCEA for screwing the teachers that pay dues to fund your political battles.
You must look deeper than the surface of this. I know it sucks to not get the money. First ask yourself why Randy’s salary started getting published suddenly. By the way, Randy does not make a six figure salary. The number that was published includes his health insurance premiums and summer pay. Did you also know that the schools are self insured, meaning the benefits are only paid out if used. Then think about the timing of this and the fact that it is conditional money. Don’t believe the spin. Mr. Craig is personally a nice guy and very affable but politically he is a predator. Beware of County Executives bearing conditional gifts…
This union (which has long surpassed its usefulness) does not in any way represent the best wishes of the majority of teachers. In fact all the union does is protect teachers who are lazy and only willing to do the bare minimum in order to just skate by. I would be all for merit pay and giving up tenure to be paid what I deserve and not based on how long I’ve been teaching. It is complete BS that a teacher who is on his/her 30th year deserve 75k based on longevity and not the quality of their work. Those same teachers are the last here and the first out each day doing nothing extra for kids. Those of us who are younger and have more passion stay and do clubs, sports, games, and make an effort to show our kids how much we enjoy working with them and care about their futures but receive less pay because we’ve been here for 5 or 6 years. What kind of system is that? Those who support this union are those who are the lazy (don’t want a plan of assistance) teachers or ones who are afraid of being sued (don’t do something stupid and you wont be). Those bashing all of us based on this union are misinformed and need to realize that we non-union teachers are prisoner to HCEA and this very unintelligent leader that they have chosen.
So, are you saying that the only good teachers are young teachers? I find the opposite to be true. Young teachers, fresh out of college, tend to have poor work ethic and are not motivated by anything other than how many friends they can make among the student body.
Are all young teachers like that? No. Are all experienced teachers “checked out” as you claim? No.
Your comments really cause question as to whether or not your truly are a teacher.
Craig is obviously trying to create dissension in the union and his tactics seem to be working; however, many in the county are letting themselves fall prey to his ploys. The real issue at stake is this: Does Craig have the authority to spend the county’s money as he sees fit? Don’t we live in a democracy and shouldn’t there be a check and balance system in place to control arbitrary spending? I still don’t understand why teachers were not given a raise at the end of last year when there was ample money in the budget to do so. On the other hand, I do understand that by handing out a bonus at Christmas, Craig comes across looking like Santa Claus, and many teachers are willing to take the “golden egg” rather than settle for the goose that lays the golden egg. Let’s face it. After 4 years without a pay increase, teachers (young and old alike) deserve a raise. HCPS is the major employer in the county, and HCPS families make up the largest part of the tax paying public.
Yes Jennifer, there is checks and balances. Craig (Executive branch) proposes the idea to the County Council (Legislative branch)and they voted for the funds transfer. What more do you need? Would you like the District Court (Judicial branch) to weigh in on the matter also?
Rest assured this will ultimately end up in the court system. The PSLRB has yet to make a decision on the bad faith claim brought by HCEA. Which ever side loses will certainly appeal the decision to the courts where the ultimate interpretation of the PSLRB legislation will be made. That process could take well over a year to complete.
I agree – this is an issue for the courts. HCEA is selling a quick decision but it is clear that a new law and new agency will have to go to judicial review.
We deserve a raise no more and no less than other employees in public sector. There some on this blog who think teachers are more important and deserve a raise over the IH making $9.50 an hour.
Jennifer; You say it is wrong for Craig to solely determine how to spend the Counties money, but you believe it’s fine if Cervany see’s fit to solely deny that same money to thousands of teachers? If Craig were only trying to sow dissention among the ranks, why did the other four unions agree to take the money and not look upon it as a political ploy?
I take offense to your comments. I have been teaching for fitteen years, I have coached two sports for most of that time, and am involved in many after school activities. I spend many unpaid hours at my school. I am not a union member but I intend to join after all of this. Randy Cerveny deserves a medal for what he is doing. Nonunionteach, you should support this matter. It is the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year teachers that are still being paid like 1st year teachers. WE HAVE A CONTRACT, that has not been honored when there WAS money to honor it. Nobody is asking for more than we deserve, just what we were told we would get. Furthermore, the union is protecting our right to collectively bargain. If we lose this right or have no union to bargain for us, WE GET NOTHING. I had been a supporter of Mr. Craig for years but now I see through his politcal agenda. Just like Wisconsin, he is trying to bust the union and use it for his own political gain is his attempt at the Govenorship. To Randy Cerveny – a large majority of teachers support you at my school. KEEP IT UP and thank you.
You have a very narrow perspective. I am neither lazy, nor am I on a plan of assistance. I am proud to be in my union because unions protect the rights of both teachers and students. Read some history. You don’t even need to go very far back. Start with the Thornton Bill.
As a “young teacher”, you have a lot to learn, starting with respect for your predecessors! Many of the older teachers are dedicated to the true cause of the students, and coach, and give more than they need. No need to insult them. Besides, many of them are about to lose their jobs so that younger, inexperienced teachers like yourself can do the minimal required jobs for less money.
STOP it HCEA!!!! You are making teachers look like fools. ENOUGH!!! Enough trying to CYA. You screwed up. Deal with it.
Reggie,
You took my statements to mean that all 20-30 year teachers are checked out which is not what I meant. I also do not believe that all young teachers are effective. I do believe however that more younger teachers spend more time doing extra things for the school and kids than the more experienced staff. I can only speak on the 2 or 3 schools that I have worked directly with. I do think that there are plenty of experienced teachers that are just as dedicated but they do not deserve more pay just because they have been doing it longer. We should be paid based on our performance and results not on longevity. How do you get more out of your employees? You reward them for work ethic and dedication, not for simply putting in the time…
There are a great many teachers that work in schools where the student population (for a variety of reasons) will not perform at the same level as students from schools in more affluent areas of the county. I know many of those teachers put in more time and effort than teachers working in those “better” schools. That is the flaw in your rationale. As the playing field is not equal for all teachers throughout the system it is impossible to rate them equally based on student performance as you suggest.
Also non union,
I support all that you do and we need more people like you but I still firmly believe that the entire pay system and union are totally jacked up. Funny thing about Randy is that your pay, my pay, and all teacher pay has been frozen for several years but his pay has gone up markedly in that time. I would think that a union president would freeze his own salary to show his membership that he is with them. NFLPA leader took NO salary while their was a lockout and our rep takes raises. Shows me something right there.
he has not gotten a raise. The additional money was summer pay and his health benefits. It was foolish not to separate them in the budget but not what it appears.
Non Union,
The problem with performance based pay is that it is almost always tied to a standardized test, not to how much time you or I have spent at school planning or coaching, etc. When you and I signed our contracts, they showed a salary schedule that I considered a binding contract. If you didn’t like that contract, you shouldn’t have signed it. There are plenty of other states or private schools that have performanced based pay.
My question is one more for the bigger picture. Some say that the budget is there for raises which is an ongoing expense. Is the budget there for School employees or the whole county? I don’t see why Dave would approve ongoing raises for just one group of peole when he can’t afford to give it across the board. Now, if with the funds from the County and funds from HCPS, if there’s enough for raises for the teachers, I could understand the Union being upset. So when it’s stated that “the money is there” who’s money are we talking about?
TO do what was proposed for school system employees was 16 Million (2 steps and 3%). School system employs 60% of the employees and the surplus is 32 Million from this year only, it does not touch the rainy day fund. So yes the money is there to do it for all.
There is $$$ for all employees to get their agreed upon wages.
I agree that we should be given what we were promised in the contract that was offered. I still think the bigger picture is the way the salary schedule is set up to begin with. That is a different fight for a different day but is relevent in the way our union works and negotiates.
Big Picture,
You are incorrect. The labor board has already stated the the County negotiated in bad faith, and the county (very quietly) lost the court rulings on their improper change of health benefits. Friday’s hearing was present information and arguments about what funds should be part of the renegotiations. Indications had been sent and has since been reported that the board was not happy with the county’s actions and recommended that the county sort it out before they do.
While merit pay looks very attractive on paper, it is not the end all be all. How do you evaluate art or physical education teachers? Or other areas that are not directly measured by current state standardized tests? It also can open the further expansion of the ‘good ol boy’ network that has long plagued HCPS, not revolving around former BCPS employees and their ‘supporters’.
First Citizen,
Where did you see the labor board ruling. I would like to see it.
I agree that merit pay has its issues that would need ironed out but paying anyone based simply on years in is a disservice to the entire system especially the students.
Teacher4ever,
That was the meeting last Friday was and is the reason the current contract is open.
http://www.daggerpress.com/2011/11/20/harford-county-education-association-handed-huge-win-from-public-school-labor-relations-board-school-board-ordered-back-to-bargaining-table/
I understand that is what HCEA is reporting – I am asking where is the ruling FROM the Labor Board? I don’t see it published anywhere.
The labor board has not ruled. They have 30 days from the hearing to rule. The labor board can not be over ridden. They encouraged the BOE to renegotiate now before their ruling. People in attendance said the lawyer for the BOE was asked many questions that he struggled to answer. The Board questioned how the BOE would negotiate a financial increase and then put money away in a rainy day fund while offering nothing towards the contract negotiated.
That is interesting. I heard that the only one on the labor board who asked questions and argued for the union was the MSEA appointee to the Board, the former NEA attorney.
I am corrected. Decisions of the labor board can be taken to the courts. More money wasted if the BOE loses and fights the decision.
I called all of the people mentioned and told them they are doing a great job and if the HCEA doesn’t want the members (teachers) to get the bonus money then spend it elsewhere preferably by giving the taxpayers a break. Thanks for providing their contact information.
Teachers and other County employees in Harford County are having some serious problems and are under attack by their government. This is what County Executive David Craig thinks about teachers and recovering their lost salary steps (I’ve lost $12,000 during the salary freeze)…
“I will not tolerate one group trying to outfox the others, nor will I tolerate one group trying to obligate taxpayers to a reoccurring expense based on the availability of one-time money.”
Does that sound like he ever intends to provide the funds to maintain teachers’ salaries and benefits. Help us in our fight for fairness. Contact him at his campaign office, call him or post to his facebook page. Let him know what you think.
25 W. Courtland St. Suite 101
Bel Air, MD 21014
(410) 893-2083
Please forward this to all your friends and family. Thanks for your help.
Ryan