Madison Talks Stall Again; Some Teachers Reportedly Take Individual Job Actions

In a new twist to the bargaining impasse in Madison schools, teachers are starting to implement individual job actions, according to media reports.

Madison Teachers Inc. has agreed not to engage in any concerted job actions as part of a stipulation that preceded a court order by Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Callaway.

However, a new impasse in negotiations "is prompting many teachers to stage individual job actions, mostly refusing to do work not called for in the contact," according to a Saturday (November 8) report in the Wisconsin State Journal. Teachers at several schools plan to wear black Monday and walk into school together at the contracted start time.

MTI is abiding by the court order and by a gag order imposed by Callaway.

According to media reports, MTI and the school board have made significant progress in the last couple of weeks, but talks stalled in recent days. No further mediation sessions are scheduled.

The State Journal said the two sides are now $1.3 million apart. It said MTI's latest offer is a 2% pay increase for all teachers in each of the next two years. The school board is offering 1.83% and 1.55%. Including experience and education increments and benefits, the union's total package increase is 4.1% and 4.3%; the school board's total package offer is 3.9% in each year, according to the State Journal.