Seattle Education Association Tentative Contract Vote - High Drama?
I've been hearing from different people (and keeping my ear to the ground) and it seems that the vote tonight on the tentative contract - at Benaroya Hall at 5 p.m. - may be closer than previously thought. There was very nearly a tie in the last school rep vote.
This is worrying because even if the contract is approved, having a large number of the teaching corps coming into class feeling defeated/unhappy, is not a good way to start the school year.
Why? It would seem to be a combination of issues.
1) some grassroots pushback on the terms of the contract (and confusion over different points)
2) a general feeling of unhappiness about SEA leadership
3) a feeling that what is in the contract is not being adequately explained to either teachers or supporters (i.e. parents/community)
Issues:
- evaluation - the complaint is that they will have to be evaluated in two ways. One via a state evaluation system and then a second district evaluation. They complain that no other teachers in the state will have to do this. My understanding is that this is because the teachers agreed to a specific SPS evaluation and now, because of changes in the law, would have to agree to the state one. In some ways, despite their discomfort, it almost seems their hands are tied.
Measuring student growth based on standardized tests seems a tricky thing. You'd have to see how the ENTIRE evaluation lines up.
You could see the problems down the road if a teacher passes one and not the other. And, is one evaluation more fair, more solid than the other?
- I think the union may have won a point with the district backing off adding more time to elementary teachers' days (but not in the classroom) but it would have been great if that time HAD been added but only to restore the time lost from art, music and PE.
- looks like the caseload issue for ESAs is also mushy. The SEA can work on lower caseloads but it doesn't sound like there's any firm number for how many each ESA has.
- Compensation - boy is this a hot potato. Sherry Carr said recently that Seattle teachers were the best paid in the state. Over at the Washington Policy Center, they have some very high number for the average salary (but I think they included benefits to inflate the actual salary) and, according to the SEA, Seattle is 4th in compensation in the Puget Sound region and 8th statewide.
I can only say here that the teachers haven't had a COLA in over five years and has their workload increased? It has.
This is worrying because even if the contract is approved, having a large number of the teaching corps coming into class feeling defeated/unhappy, is not a good way to start the school year.
Why? It would seem to be a combination of issues.
1) some grassroots pushback on the terms of the contract (and confusion over different points)
2) a general feeling of unhappiness about SEA leadership
3) a feeling that what is in the contract is not being adequately explained to either teachers or supporters (i.e. parents/community)
Issues:
- evaluation - the complaint is that they will have to be evaluated in two ways. One via a state evaluation system and then a second district evaluation. They complain that no other teachers in the state will have to do this. My understanding is that this is because the teachers agreed to a specific SPS evaluation and now, because of changes in the law, would have to agree to the state one. In some ways, despite their discomfort, it almost seems their hands are tied.
Measuring student growth based on standardized tests seems a tricky thing. You'd have to see how the ENTIRE evaluation lines up.
You could see the problems down the road if a teacher passes one and not the other. And, is one evaluation more fair, more solid than the other?
- I think the union may have won a point with the district backing off adding more time to elementary teachers' days (but not in the classroom) but it would have been great if that time HAD been added but only to restore the time lost from art, music and PE.
- looks like the caseload issue for ESAs is also mushy. The SEA can work on lower caseloads but it doesn't sound like there's any firm number for how many each ESA has.
- Compensation - boy is this a hot potato. Sherry Carr said recently that Seattle teachers were the best paid in the state. Over at the Washington Policy Center, they have some very high number for the average salary (but I think they included benefits to inflate the actual salary) and, according to the SEA, Seattle is 4th in compensation in the Puget Sound region and 8th statewide.
I can only say here that the teachers haven't had a COLA in over five years and has their workload increased? It has.
Comments
I have two yearly evaluations, whether I like it or not; my hours have been cut, but I've had additional work added to my job description as other workers have been phased out. I have no benefits as a PT worker.
My husband has what many would consider a "cushy" job, but had to take a number of days off with no pay in lieu of a layoff. No pay increase for him either, and we pay more for health care benefits.
It's the same everywhere-looks to me like the teachers are better of than some of us.
Head Scratcher
HP
If reasonable, passionate teachers showed up to union events and participated, participation would be more fun for all of us. There may very well be a vote to strike passed tonight if people do not show up to Benaroya, and that would be a shame.
The majority of Seattle teachers are apathetic. They're apathetic about what collective bargaining gets us, they're apathetic about the process. They have disengaged, and so we may have a strike on our hands just because a small group of teachers think it's something we should do.
-Northender
-Sleeping In?
The example I gave of my family's situation doesn't mean that I want to bring teachers down, but I'm only one of many-and some of those "many" might find teachers' demands something they can't abide.
That attitude is out there, in quantity.
Head Scratcher
The public will not support or appreciate that we are shutting schools down over the issues in this contract.
Bigger class sizes? That's a strikable issue. No raise at all? That's strikeable. Student growth ratings that automatically put a teacher on probation? Strikeable. But not this TA.
SeaTeach
Well played, Banda!
To all SEA-represented employees, both classified and certificated:
It has come to my attention that you may be receiving mixed information about your ability to leave your buildings today for the purpose of attending the SEA membership meeting.
All SEA members, both certificated and classified, are authorized to leave your work site no later than 3:15 p.m. so that you have the opportunity to attend the SEA membership meeting.
I have sent a message to principals and program mangers to let them know that this is authorized.
Thank you.
José Banda
José Banda
Superintendent
Seattle Public Schools
- SeaTeach
Crazy as it sounds, people are envious of teachers contract and their ability to bargain, not to mention the time off during school breaks. People are used to working beyond their paid time, losing lunch hour and breaks, eating on the go, taking work home, paying for contact hours coursework using their own dime and personal time to stay viable, watching health care premiums go up annually, unble to take vacation because there's no one to cover your job or your boss will only grant 3 days off at a time. That's the squeeze many are in. Being a loyal, productive, senior worker with excellent eval doesn't save you from lay off notice either.
squeezed
I think it is possible, if not likely, that the teachers could vote to reject the agreement but not vote to strike.
In the event that they reject the proposed agreement they will continue to work under the existing agreement.
If they don't strike, I don't think they will lose much public support, even if they don't accept the proposed contract.
This "I'm being treated like garbage, so everyone else should be too," attitude has got to stop. Do we really want the teaching profession to become a last resort for those unable to find employment elsewhere? It will be if we allow teachers to be treated like fast food workers instead of the professionals they are.
Solvay Girl
Mr. White
Mr. White
squeezed