QEO Law is 'Pushing Us Apart', Legislators Told
At a time when teachers, support staff, administrators, school boards,
parents and community leaders should be coming together for public schools
and children, the Qualified Economic Offer law "is working to push
us apart," a South Milwaukee teacher told the Senate Education
Committee Wednesday (November 12, 1997).
"Instead of helping us come together to solve the problems we
face, the QEO is driving a wedge of anger, frustration and distrust
between us," Guy Costello, a 5th-grade teacher, said. "At
a time when consensus approaches to solving problems is needed, the
QEO is forcing us all back into old patterns that cause more division
than unity."
Costello was one of dozens of teachers who testified on a bill that
would repeal the QEO law.
The QEO law was passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor
in 1993. It replaced the mediation-arbitration law for settling teacher
contract disputes. The QEO law removes the ability of teachers to take
their contract disputes to arbitration unless the school board agrees.
The law has led to considerable labor unrest throughout the state.
Just a few years ago, Costello said, South Milwaukee was moving toward
a real spirit of cooperation.
"Sadly, that has crumbled in the last year," he said. "As
distrust has increased, communication has deteriorated and cooperation
has faded. I do not blame this on the personality of any administrator,
teacher or board member. I blame it squarely on the shoulders of the
QEO and revenue caps."
Costello said the QEO unfairly singles out teachers, restricting their
right to bargain collectively for wages and benefits. As a result of
the QEO, average teacher salaries in South Milwaukee have increased
just 6.2% since 1992-93, while the Consumer Price Index rose by more
than 11%. Average total compensation for South Milwaukee teachers, including
salary and benefits, rose just 7.1% over that same period, he said.
Posted November 12, 1997; Updated November 13, 1997