Organizing is Key to Successful Contract in Port Washington - Saukville

WEAC President Stan Johnson discusses the Port Washington-Saukville School District's struggles with revenue controls social studies teacher and bargaining team member Deb Dassow.

Organizing was the key to winning a contract that exceeds the salary objectives in WEAC’s Statewide Bargaining Goals, according to Port Washington-Saukville bargaining team leader Deb Dassow.

Although the contract does not meet all aspects of the statewide goals, it includes an 8.5% per cell salary increase in the first year and an 8.24% total package increase in the second, Dassow told WEAC President Stan Johnson during a visit to the district in December.

That’s a pretty good contract in a climate that includes the Qualified Economic Offer law and school district revenue controls that are resulting in salary cuts in many districts, Dassow said, especially considering that the district cut $1.7 million in spending the previous year.

Dassow, who has been a Port Washington High School social studies teacher for 27 years and a Port Washington-Saukville Education Association bargaining team member for 23, said her colleagues have been talking to school board members, administrators and community members about the unfair laws and demonstrating against them since their inception in 1993.

The 188-person local has picketed open houses, football games, and school board meetings; worked on school board campaigns; recruited candidates; raised more than $2,000 in individual contributions for Governor-elect Jim Doyle; and undertaken a number of other job actions, public protests and public-information efforts.

“When the QEO and revenue caps laws first came into play our local organized immediately,” Dassow said. “We’ve been organized for nine years.”

The new Port Washington-Saukville contract raises base pay for starting teachers more than $3,000, to $30,425; while raising the maximum salary for teachers with master’s degrees, 30 credits and 14 years of experience to $68,500. The negotiators managed to reduce the number of steps in the salary schedule from 16 to 14, meaning members can move to the top of the pay scale faster. The contract includes a new three-tier prescription drug plan that could shift some health care costs from the district to members.

WEAC President Stan Johnson toured school buildings throughout the Port Washington-Saukville School District on December 9, observing the damage done by nine years of state-imposed revenue controls and discussing collective bargaining strategies with members. He visited with WEAC members and school administrators at Port Washington High School, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, and Saukville, Lincoln and Dunwiddie elementary schools.

“Good collective bargaining and great schools are inseparable,” Johnson said.

“The new contract in Port Washington-Saukville will help attract talented teachers and staff to the community and will encourage experienced educators to stay in the area and stay in the education profession. I applaud the bargaining team for its hard work and the school board, administration and community for their wisdom.”

Posted December 13, 2002