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• What has the Board offered?

  The last formal offer on the table from the Board was a 1.5% increase. The Association’s last formal position was a 3% increase mid-year. PGCEA’s proposal would have used the dollars that are on the table to create a larger base increase for next year. The salary scale would have improved by 3% setting the new base amount for future negotiations.

• Is planning time still on the table?

  No, PGCEA withdrew its planning time proposal during the last formal session. PGCEA and the Board were not able to agree on a projected cost to implement the proposal pursued by PGCEA. The Board was also unwilling to accept a pilot project that PGCEA offered.

• If a settlement is not reached soon, will the Board be able to provide retroactive back pay?

  The Board has the technical ability to furnish retroactive payments if such payments are agreed to.

• What else is on the table?

  Because of the integrity of the process, PGCEA has not published the language items that have been a subject of these negotiations. We have cited planning time only because of its cost implications. However, a number of tentative agreements have been reached on selected language items. These agreements are contingent on a final agreement of the total contract. That has not occurred yet.

• Since the Board cut the reserve for employee raises from $25 million to $12.5 million, how much money is really on the table in negotiation?

  The total cost of the PGCEA package at this time exceeds not only the $12 million, but the $25 million as well.

• Will negotiations continue late into 2004 so that the Board can bypass giving employees a raise?

  There does not appear to be any truth to this rumor. The parties continue to talk and a recommendation is likely to be made soon to the PGCEA Board of Directors.

• Why hasn’t the Association called for a countywide job action?

  Like the other employee unions, PGCEA must continue to negotiate in good faith. Job actions prior to breaking off or terminating negotiations would be viewed as bad faith negotiations.

• Did the Board set aside a reserve to cover the deficit, and what happens to the money if the deficit is not realized?

  Yes, the Board did set aside funds during the FY 04 reconciliation process to liquidate the deficit. PGCEA is negotiating with the Board to determine how to handle any funds left from the reserve if the deficit does not exhaust the reserve entirely.

• How do we avoid being put in this situation again next year?

  Educators, parents and community members must join us in Annapolis on January 26, 2004 to support the rally to fully fund the “Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act” (Thornton). Look for details in your building and Newsettes.