School board orders cut in teachers’ pay
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E.P. Teachers Pay Cut
The game of hardball continues between the East Providence school committee and the teachers union.EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I.—An across-the-board pay cut for East Providence teachers went into effect Monday.
The school committee went forward with an aggressive plan to balance the budget by slashing salaries and forcing teachers to pay more for benefits.
The move came after months of contract negotiations went nowhere.
“We don’t have any money,“ said school committee chairman Anthony Carcieri. “There is no money. How are we going to pay a bloated contract?“
The committee went ahead with plans to slash teacher salaries by 5 percent and collect 20 percent of the cost of health care premiums.
The union immediately hit back, filing a complaint with the state labor board.
“They’re asking teachers to fund East Providence. They’re asking them to take a lot less and pay a lot more in health care than they’ve asked other municipal employees,“ said Larry Purtill, president of the National Education Association Rhode Island. “We’re just asking to be treated the same.”
According to City Manager Richard Brown, the school department is solely responsible for the deficit, but he said teachers aren’t the only ones taking a hit.
“We’re looking at making major alterations in the way we staff our fire department,“ Brown said. “We have reduced the number of take-home vehicles. We’ve stopped spending on additional vehicles. Every single item is being scrutinized.“
Brown said he’s only concerned with the bottom line, which is $4.5 million in the hole.
“We are in danger of not being able to continue to pay our bills,“ Brown said.
The matter will most likely be decided by the courts. The decision will be closely watched by cash-strapped municipalities and unions fearful of losing ground.
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Reader Reactions
they way this economy is,,, i think we ALL should be very thankful that we even have jobs. not every job is a dream job..
In response to Tyson: I wouldn’t be in a union if THEY paid ME! They don’t do anything for anyone except line their own pockets. I don’t need anyone to negotiate with an employer for my salary or rights. I’m quite capable of doing that myself (for free!)
sburke…
stop hating on the union people! its not the union peoples problem that you’re non union!!
I think it’s time for the unions to come into the real world. The Non-union working citizens are paying for part (or all) of their healthcare. I pay almost 50% of my healthcare. That’s $7800 per YEAR for myself and my spouse to have coverage. These teachers and unions need to stop belly-aching and be happy with only 20%! Enough already. Fire them all and hire new. There are plenty of qualified teachers looking for jobs. They should be happy they have jobs and do what the rest of the employed have to.
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