Monona Grove Teachers Picket Outside High School
Monona Grove teachers, frustrated by stalled
contract talks, picketed during a dedication ceremony for the newly remodeled
high school Sunday (April 16, 2000) and said they may stop performing
non-contractual duties if the school board imposes a non-negotiated contract
on them.
Talks between the Monona Grove Education
Association and the school board have been at a standstill for weeks.
The school board has filed a petition with the Wisconsin Employment Relations
Commission asking that it declare a deadlock. If a deadlock is declared,
the board may legally proceed with imposing a Qualified Economic Offer
on the teachers.
MGEA President Annette Eisman said the
two sides are only about $78,000 apart but the board refuses to negotiate
any further. Mediation has failed to get the board to budge.
About 50 teachers participated in Sunday's
picketing, saying they deserve more respect from the board. They have
been working without a contract since July 1, 1999.
Posted April 18, 2000