WAYNE/WESTLAND (WWJ) Teachers in the Wayne/Westland school district are pushing for a contract after months of working without one.
Many showed up at the school board meeting Monday night, November 18th, to express their frustrations over the fact they they’ve been without a contract since August— and with the hopes of a move toward mediation.
The Michigan Education Association (MEA), the union that represents the teachers, said the issue is ‘beyond wages’ which includes: health, retirement, paid time off and perks.
Staffing and morale is also low, according to the MEA.
“We have staff that do not receive their planning and preparation period because they are subbing—or elective teachers or special teachers such as art, music and PE— aren’t able to hold art, music and PE classes because they are instead subbing,” MEA Director Tonya Karpinski said.
Karpinski added that the district currently has the highest fund balance in their history at just over $40 million.
"We've seen no wage increases and yet the cost of living has gone up. And on January 1st, in a little more than a month and a half, (the teachers) will also be receiving some historic rate increases in the cost of their insurance."
Jennifer Curry, Interim Superintendent or Wayne-Westland Community Schools, released the following statement to WWJ:
"The WWCS administration and teachers' negotiation teams will enter mediation this Friday. We are dedicated to working together to reach a mutually beneficial contract agreement that supports both our educators and the success of our students."
A mediator is scheduled to hold negotiations between the district and the union on Friday. The MEA represents about 750 members in the Wayne/Westland District; and, according to the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, about 79,000 teachers, faculty and support staff throughout the state of Michigan.