200 Locals Adopt Resolution Challenging the 'QEO'

More than 200 local associations have voted so far in favor of a bargaining goals resolution that rejects the paltry increases provided by the "Qualified Economic Offer" provision of the state's collective bargaining law.

Instead, these locals have vowed they will "seek a settlement consistent with fair collective bargaining and in line with the cost of living."

"Wisconsin teachers cannot and will not continue to accept pay increases of 2%, 1% or 0% when the cost of living is increasing by at least 3% and the state's per-capita income is rising even faster," said WEAC President Terry Craney.

In addition to the 200 locals that have passed a uniform resolution rejecting the QEO, many more districts are still involved in discussions that will lead up to a vote.

WEAC Collective Bargaining Director Robert West said some locals have decided not to vote at this time because they are at a sensitive stage in negotiations.

The resolution approved by locals had been advanced by the WEAC Bargaining Goals Committee. Following the impressive results from the first round of voting on the resolution, the committee adopted a new set of Statewide Bargaining Standards. Those standards are prefaced with this Statement of Belief:

"No teaching employee should have his or her standard of living reduced for the 1997-99 time period."

"As a result of this process, members at the local level are better informed about the effects of the QEO," said Mary Bell, chair of the Bargaining Goals Committee. "And they have now directed their leaders at the bargaining table to look for a fair settlement regardless of the QEO restrictions."

The next step, she said, is for locals to approach bargains with this philosophy, knowing they are backed up by a statewide support system.

Posted March 24, 1997