Stoughton Teacher Association president Andrea Pires accused superintendent of schools Marguerite Rizzi of retaliating against the teachers during their contract negotiations at Tuesday's school committee meeting. The teachers' contract ran out Aug. 31, and talks are continuing.
The dispute is over pay raises and step increases. The teachers say money is being taken away from them, while the school committee counters that the teachers are getting an increase.
"Contrary to the union president’s claim, we are not offering a salary structure that is a salary cut," said chairman Joyce Husseni in her statement. "Sixty-percent of the teachers are currently receiving an average increase of 4.9 percent before any new programming or educational incentives. The union is proposing a 2.75 percent annual raise for the next three years.
"Under their proposal, 60 percent of our teachers would see a yearly increase of at least 7.7 percent, or 23.25 percent over the course of the three-year contract. For most taxpayers in this town, those numbers are difficult to accept. The town’s proposal is to bring the annual steps down to 3 percent from 4.9 percent. This is being represented by the union’s bargaining team as a pay cut.
"Who among us would not be happy with a 3 percent raise? Don’t you think a 4.9 percent raise in one year is excessive?"
Pires countered that the teachers are taking a pay cut, which will drive talented teachers out of the school system.
"We have hundreds of members who are being paid less than they are supposed to be paid," said Pires in her statement. "They have earned the right to advance a step on the salary schedule. You are refusing to pay it. This is unlawful."
Pires said teachers are being docked pay if they have to leave school early, accusing Rizzi of having the principals create a spread sheet to document the time they are off.
"The teachers are asking to leave early in the same way they always have," said Pires in her statement. "The only difference is that their pay is being docked in retaliation. No matter how early they leave, the teachers are being docked one hour's pay."
Rizzi said she didn't want to comment, and was letting the school committee chairman's statement speak for her.
She did say she was hopeful the contract would be settled
"Nobody wants to be working without a contract," said Rizzi
Pires said her group is going to continue to talk and wouldn't strike over the contract issues.
"We wouldn't hurt our students," said Pires. "That's not in the best interest of the students or the community."
Pires says she hopes the union and the committee can resolve their issues. Union members are expected to be at the next school committee meeting.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
