Eau Claire Teachers Unite in Solidarity at School Board Meeting

Eau Claire Association of Educators President Jo Ellen Burke addresses the Eau Claire School Board. "Since 1993, when the QEO (Qualified Economic Offer) law was enacted, we have continued to fall below comparable school districts' salary schedules," she said.

More than 190 Eau Claire teachers attended a school board meeting Monday (January 19,2004) to express their frustration over stalled contract negotiations. Eau Claire Association of Educators (ECAE) members have been working without a contract since July 2003.

During the meeting, ECAE President Jo Ellen Burke addressed Eau Claire School Board members. "Teachers haven't received even a cost-of-living increase in several years and what we are saying is 'Enough is enough,'" she said.

The school board's most recent offer included a 4.5% increase in salary and benefits. Skyrocketing health care costs claimed most of that increase, leaving Eau Claire teachers with 1.25% salary raises.

Also at issue is the board's proposal to severely limit the district's early retirement benefit for new employees.

"You have asked us to teach in a way that produces high test scores, graduation and attendance rates," Burke told the school board members. "We feel we've respectfully delivered on our end.

"Quite frankly, it's time for you to uphold your end of the bargain."

Representatives of ECAE and the Eau Claire school district will resume negotiations February 5.

Posted January 22, 2004