BC News

Teachers union approves renegotiated contract with concessions

Release Date: May 6, 2009

On Tuesday, May 5, the Bethlehem Central Teachers Association voted overwhelmingly in favor of a renegotiated contract that includes salary concessions next year and a two-year extension.
The contract deal remains tentative at this time, with Board of Education approval still needed for ratification. The Board is expected to vote on it at its May 20 meeting.

Because the agreement represented an amendment to an existing contract, it required two-thirds approval of the BCTA’s full membership. The deal garnered 98 percent of union members in Tuesday’s vote, with 432 voting in favor and 8 against. 

District officials and teachers association leaders announced the tentative agreement in late April. Under the terms of the deal, district taxpayers would save approximately $600,000 next year as a result of union concessions, largely the result of members agreeing to delay the start of their annual cost-of-living increase from September 2009 until January 2010. 

“This agreement will strengthen our financial position as we continue to grapple with an economy that is difficult for both school districts and taxpayers,” Superintendent Michael Tebbano said. “I am proud of our faculty stepping up and meeting these challenges with the school district and our community.” 

Because the Board adopted the proposed 2009-10 budget before the anticipated votes on the contract agreement, the $600,000 in savings for next year has not been factored into the budget the community will vote on on May 19.  

The proposed budget calls for a tax rate increase of 1.76 percent, with the use of $861,000 fund balance. District officials see the $600,000 in savings as an opportunity to restore a large portion of this planned use of fund balance. This would strengthen the district’s financial position as it heads into budget years that are expected to be at least as difficult as this year.

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