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Solidarity - November 22, 1999

Volume 33, No. 14
We teach the children ... Collectively we decide ... United we act

JANUARY 1 PAYCHECK

Section III-D-2-b of the Teacher Collective Bargaining Agreement provides that the January 1 paycheck is to be distributed via school mail on the first day worked in January (January 3), or, at the option of the teacher, checks will be mailed to arrive approximately January 1. Those selecting the latter option must notify the Payroll Department in writing not later than December 1. Teachers wishing to have their checks mailed to them should confirm that the Payroll Department has their current address on file.

TEACHER CREDIT ACCUMULATION AND NEW SALARY SCHEDULE

Negotiations for the 1999-2001 Teacher Collective Bargaining Agreement, provided an improved salary schedule, with expedited movement for teachers at the Incentive Levels. Incentive Levels begin at level 15. Among the improvements is a restructuring of the salary schedule, and the guarantee that everyone move up one level, effective with the 2000-2001 school year, without regard to credit earned.

The restructured salary schedule enables teachers located at level 15 and beyond effective with the 2000-2001 school year to advance every 2 years (rather than every 3 years), provided they earn 3 credits (rather than the previously required 4). As a result of this change, teachers who are at level 14 and above during the 1999-2000 school year will have their placement adjusted to reflect the new schedule effective with the 2000-2001 school year.

For example, a full-time teacher at level 16, Incentive year 3 (16.0 level 3), in 1999-2000, will move to level 18, Incentive year 1 (18.0 level 1) in 2000-01. Said teacher will then have 2 years to earn 3 credits in order to advance to level 19, Incentive year 1 (19.0 level 1).

Given this agreement, numerous teachers have asked MTI how their credit accumulation would be affected. To this end, MTI and the District have now agreed:

Teachers who will be placed in the first year of an Incentive Level for the 2000-01 school year (e.g. 15.0 level 1, 16.0 level 1), will have their credit balance consumed.

Teachers who will be placed in the second year of an incentive level for the 2000-01 school year (e.g. 15.0 level 2, 16.0 level 2), will have their credit balance maintained as of 2/1/2000.

After the 2000-2001 school year, teachers will need 3 credits to move into a new Incentive Level.

Credits must be reported to the Department of Human Resources by October 1 to be effective for the first semester and by February 1 to be effective with the second semester. Reporting credits by July 1 will enable the wage adjustment to be effective with the October 1 wage check.

Example 1: The teacher referenced above who would be placed at level 18 Incentive level 1 (18.0 level 1) for 2000-01, will have all current credits consumed and will have to earn 3 additional credits in the following 2 years to enable advancement to level 19, Incentive year 1 (19.0 level 1).

Example 2: A teacher placed at level 18 Incentive year 2 (18.0 level 2) for 2000-01, will retain their credit balance as of 2/1/2000, which would count towards satisfying the 3 credits needed to advance the following year to level 19 Incentive year 1 (19.0 level 1).

COUNCIL OPPOSES THREE TIER LICENSING

Calling the DPI proposed three tier licensing system cumbersome, expensive and divisive, the MTI Faculty Representative Council VOTED TO OPPOSE the proposal which is now before the Wisconsin Legislature.

MTI President Paula Ferrara-Parrish has appeared on WERN, Wisconsin's public radio station, and on WHA TV's Friday night roundtable discussion advocating MTI's challenge to DPI's proposal. Ferrara-Parrish stated that "Peer evaluation would have a chilling effect on teachers working together and sharing information and teaching materials. These are essentials to a quality education program. The proposed system would be divisive and, therefore, would bring harm to the best school system in the country. Why fool around with the system that made Wisconsin the best in the country."

AUGUSTA ELECTED TO BARGAINING COMMITTEE

Bonnie Augusta, a middle school program support teacher, was elected by the MTI Faculty Representative Council last week to fill the remainder of the middle school term of Vaunce Ashby. Ashby transferred to LaFollette High School.

2ND RETIREMENT PLANNING MEETING TO BE HELD

Due to the overwhelming attendance at the November 16 retirement presentation for District employees, MTI staff member Doug Keillor and MMSD Benefits Manager Bob Nadler have scheduled a second retirement planning presentation to be held on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, from 7-9 p.m., in the auditorium at the Doyle Administration Building. If you are interested in attending, RSVP to Lisa Vial at 266-6051.

Reminder for teachers: Those interested in retiring at the end of this school year should be gathering the relevant estimates/applications. The deadline for applying for TEERP benefits is February 15. If you have questions regarding this process, MTI staff are available to assist you.

SEE-MTI: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: TRANSFERS AND DEMOTIONS

The SEE-MTI Collective Bargaining Agreement ensures that members of MTI's clerical/technical bargaining unit, who transfer laterally to another position or job title in the same salary range, incur no monetary penalty for such transfers; i.e. wage increases continue on schedule. The SEE-MTI Collective Bargaining Agreement also provides that clerical/technical bargaining unit members who are demoted because of reorganization or for other reasons beyond their control retain their then current salary. Should their current salary be above Step 5 when the reorganization demotion occurs, wages are red-circled; e.g. no annual or negotiated salary adjustments are received until their red-circled salary falls within the established salary range for said position.

EA-MTI and LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Need a change? Don't resign. Take a leave of absence instead. The kids need you. Section VI-E of the EA-MTI Collective Bargaining Agreement allows educational assistants to take an unpaid leave of absence. The following contractual provisions apply to requesting a leave of absence: one must have completed the probationary period; the request is made on the proper form and at least thirty days in advance of the effective date of leave; the reason for the leave is stated on the leave form; and the leave request results in the educational assistant being gone through the balance of the school year, unless mutually agreed otherwise. A year leave of absence is not credited as a year of experience on the salary schedule. No extensions are granted to a leave of absence.

CELL PHONE PROGRAM EXPANDED

MTI, thanks to the efforts of MTI member Phil Lyons, has expanded its cell phone program to include U.S. Cellular and Prime Co, in addition to Ameritech. Information about MTI's cellular telephone program can be obtained from MTI Faculty Representatives or by calling MTI Headquarters.

HORACE MANN PROVIDES ASSAULT RECOVERY BENEFITS

Horace Mann, MTI's endorsed auto and homeowner's insurance carrier, has added an important new benefit. Assault recovery benefits are designed to help in the event a member becomes a victim of violence in the educational workplace. As of October 1, 1999, Horace Mann automatically, at no cost, began providing three new valuable benefits for all existing and new automobile insurance customers in Wisconsin who are educators and members of the NEA. The benefits include a $1,000 victim assistance benefit, a $500 per day in-hospital benefits (up to 14 days) and a $20,000 death and dismemberment benefit. For more information, contact Horace Mann at 244-7336.

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Posted December 7, 1999