Teachers Contract

Now that the teachers contract has expired does anyone have any idea where negotiations are?

That's a great question for the August board meeting. There are no meetings in July. Someone needs to demand an answer at that meeting.

Thunder

Look for the greedy union to agree to a one year current contract extension and to have the contract accepted quickly. Not even underworked teachers are going to ask for further overpayment in this economic climate.

If the school board was smart, they would go for concessions immediately. The only way the board can screw up is to give in to the teacher demands. This is a lose/lose situation for the union. Ask for more money, they will be labeled as greedy (which they are). Ask for a strike and the community will be in full revolt against them.

A one year extension may be a mistake on the teachers part. That just means they will have to negotiate again next year with a new board. If they were smart they would just roll the old contract into a new one before they are giving back.

There's nothing wrong with negotiating in good faith towards a comparable contract with other area districts.

My question for the board would be, "Why is it always PT that can't get a competitive deal done without hoopla?" I think the mentality needs to change in this area.

Thunder

There's nothing wrong with being paid for the time and effort put into the job. Teachers are grossly overpaid for their services. Teachers are a dime a dozen. In PA, there are more teachers than there are positions available. The salary scale needs to be adjusted strongly downward.

Teachers simply don't deserve, nor do they earn, the salaries they are recieving.

ThunderRider wrote:There's nothing wrong with negotiating in good faith towards a comparable contract with other area districts.

My question for the board would be, "Why is it always PT that can't get a competitive deal done without hoopla?" I think the mentality needs to change in this area.

Thunder

What "Hoopla" are you talking about ??
Other than the board president saying "We will be holding an executive session after the meeting to discuss contract negotiations" you would not know there are negotiations going on. I would be willing to bet that 80% of the general public do not know the contract has expired.

Pee,

I'd be willing to bet that 99% of the general public doesn't know or care that the contract has expired. Nobody cares until there is a crisis.

Hok,

You have a Southern mentality. Maybe it's time to head South? Be careful what you wish for.

Thunder Struck

The mentality is what business and economics prove each day. If a teacher wants paid more, find a job that does pay more. Do not force the taxpayer to subsidize your lifestyle because you want to paid more than the market will bear.

ThunderRider wrote:Pee,

I'd be willing to bet that 99% of the general public doesn't know or care that the contract has expired. Nobody cares until there is a crisis.

Thunder Struck

Pee Kaa wrote:What "Hoopla" are you talking about ??

Thunder,

I see you haven't lost your touch. You still don't answer the questions presented to you. So if 99% of the public know nothing about the contract, where is the "Hoopla"?

Hok,

Same argument, new forum. The taxpayers aren't subsidizing a lifestyle. They are investing in their child's future and the future of our Democratic society which begins with dedicated teachers in public service for the community. It's the American way. In order to attract quality college graduates, teachers need to be paid competitively. If not, why bother? Also, waiting 19 years to earn a career rate is a bargain to the taxpayers. I don't know of any other public servants who have to wait 19 years to be paid what they're worth. Teachers should reach their career rate within 3 years along with tenure, in my opinion.

Pee,

The hoopla will be here real soon I fear and it is all so unnecessary and doesn't happen in neighboring districts that pay competitively. Like I said, the mentality around here needs to change or a new crisis will be born every four years or so. It's not necessary.

Thunder

From what I recall it was the teachers that caused all the "Hoopla" 4 years ago when they went on strike. I can remember a certain union president rushing the stage screaming at the top of his lungs during a board meeting, a nice little performance to incite the crowd.

Teachers are paid way above market rates. The union sees to that. No teacher on the open market would not recieve anything close to what they are making without the union artificially inflating wages. The union is anything BUT a Democratic society (it's socialism - please go back and re-take a civics class). Also, teachers are anything but dedicated. Dedicated teachers don't go on strike because the district chooses not to further overpay the teachers.

You again go back to the "pay competitively to get good teachers", but then you say that PT has not been paying competitively. One can then surmize that either: a. Teachers have been paid competitively and you are lying through your teeth about pay or b. PT has not been hiring the best teachers, which directly degrades your union brethern.

So which is it???

I'll tell you what it is...

It's time for me to sit back and not comment for a while and see if this forum takes off in a constructive/positive fashion, or see if it morphs into the last forum. It will be a nice little experiment to see if it's worthwhile to bring back the original forum as planned.

Here's my last thought for a while, "Pay attention to the, "Thunder," because a, "Storm," usually follows closely behind. And, voice your concerns where it really matters, at the August school board meeting.

Signing off for now,

Thunder

This ALWAYS happens when you are cornered by your own arguements. You can't have it both ways. Pick a side and stick to it.

Teachers have priced themselves out of the market. The taxpayer will not subsidize a 9 month, 6.75 hour per day job which overpays the teachers. Teacher pensions (eliminated by industry almost 30 years ago) are 40 million underfunded (due to the decline in the stock market), for which the taxpayer will have to buck up.

Eliminate state employee pensions and go to 401k or 403b contributions.

ThunderRider wrote:I'll tell you what it is...

It's time for me to sit back and not comment for a while and see if this forum takes off in a constructive/positive fashion, or see if it morphs into the last forum. It will be a nice little experiment to see if it's worthwhile to bring back the original forum as planned.

Here's my last thought for a while, "Pay attention to the, "Thunder," because a, "Storm," usually follows closely behind. And, voice your concerns where it really matters, at the August school board meeting.

Signing off for now,

Thunder

Sorry you feel that way Thunder. I started this topic with a simple question, looking for an answer from someone who may have a little inside. You know as well as I do that you can get no answers from a board meeting, demanding an answer will get you nowhere. I thought I just may be able to get some info from someone close to the source. I didn't intend for this thread to turn into a pissing battle which you are as guilty as others in escalating it to that point.

Pee Kaa

Oh brother!

Here's the inside scoop. The contract has expired. There's no other news except that school starts in about a month and a half and it sure would be nice if it started with a new contract.

Get to the August board meeting. Make a fuss. Don't accept no for an answer, regardless of what your position is.

Lots of luck.

Thunder, before the Storm

So you have no knowledge if offers have been made by the board or requests by the union? I find that hard to believe.

Did the contract expire in June? Have there been any meetings? I do remember last time the school board said they didn't meet in the summer because of getting ready for the new school year. Is this the same excuse?

Hi boys

kidz,

Your avatar never disappoints. Thanks!

The contract has expired. Believe it or not, that's all I know. Please attend the August school board meeting and demand an answer!

Tell Jr. I said hello!

T$

4thekidz wrote:
Hi boys

Hi Sweetie!!!!

ThunderRider wrote:kidz,



The contract has expired. Believe it or not, that's all I know.
Tell Jr. I said hello!

T$

I really find that hard to believe Thunder, but if you say so.

ThunderRider wrote:kidz,

Your avatar never disappoints. Thanks!

The contract has expired. Believe it or not, that's all I know. Please attend the August school board meeting and demand an answer!

Tell Jr. I said hello!

T$

If I got a hot n' sexy avatar would you answer my questions quickly and direct without sniiping???

Maybe?

ThunderRider wrote:Maybe?

OK.....we'll see if you respond any better now!!