I echo a comment I saw posted on the main page... what survey???

"approved in the coming weeks?" Really? We now have to wait to weeks to see the details, vote, and reap what I'm sure are an abundance of benefits.

Release the details of the contract now, so the debate will have time to reach all the members.

"approved in the coming weeks?" Really? We now have to wait to weeks to see the details, vote, and reap what I'm sure are an abundance of benefits.

Release the details of the contract now, so the debate will have time to reach all the members.

Interesting, lots of rumors...did we lose steps?...what changes are made to health care?...why does the union want us to wait? are they scared the common folk teachers will be disappointed in our "leadership"?...seems like big changes could be on the horizon, but what are they?

Interesting, lots of rumors...did we lose steps?...what changes are made to health care?...why does the union want us to wait? are they scared the common folk teachers will be disappointed in our "leadership"?...seems like big changes could be on the horizon, but what are they?

"I think the teachers are going to like this contract..." Yeah right, I 'm sure we will be doing even more paperwork, in even less time because we will be sitting in or more meaningless PD. We always end up forfeiting something we shouldn't for a few more, and I do mean a few more, dollars that will be absorbed by the increase in our health insurance premiums.
This union and Marietta are completely useless!

"I think the teachers are going to like this contract..." Yeah right, I 'm sure we will be doing even more paperwork, in even less time because we will be sitting in or more meaningless PD. We always end up forfeiting something we shouldn't for a few more, and I do mean a few more, dollars that will be absorbed by the increase in our health insurance premiums.
This union and Marietta are completely useless!

"I think the teachers are going to like this contract..." Yeah right, I 'm sure we will be doing even more paperwork, in even less time because we will be sitting in or more meaningless PD. We always end up forfeiting something we shouldn't for a few more, and I do mean a few more, dollars that will be absorbed by the increase in our health insurance premiums.
This union and Marietta are completely useless!

What a joke. Way to keep teachers in the dark even longer.

What a joke. Way to keep teachers in the dark even longer.

I never saw a survey.

The health changes are that Kaiser took the place of United Health/ Optimum choice. They're not sharing it because it hasn't been ratified. I'm not sure when it's up for ratification... some time in October.

I'm concerned that Alonso and Marietta English both like it... I'm concerned that there's more money involved (so the union thinks we'll like it), and it's tied to performance (test scores). I'm guessing we're going to be some sort of experiment for seeing how merit pay works, and teachers will end up doing a lot of pointless stuff for some sort of trial and error. Teachers will cheat even more to raise test scores and cheat the kids on their education because teachers have more money as an incentive and have good reason to fear losing their jobs if they don't.
Good teachers won't have better test scores if they're bribed with a few thousand dollars. Good teachers are already doing the best they can.

No one , and I mean no one, in my building including the BTU rep knows of any survey. Exactly how many surveys were completed, show us the survey and the results, and explain why all dues paying BTU members were not invited to participate. How was the survey communicated to the members? Sun reporters, please get some answers.

@WE - same at my school. No idea what the survey is. I don't know anyone that does.

There's a meeting at City Neighbors tomorrow (Wed 9/29) at 5 that will supposedly reveal some details of the contract... though the actual words are
that they will "announce a landmark teacher contract that moves the
transformation of City Schools to the next level."

It's not going to help with our concerns that teacher input seems to be missing, but at least we can know what the contract says...

I know why Marietta likes it! She can raise union dues.

Rumor is that she pulls in nearly 150k per year to do nothing. She works so hard that she doesn't even both to read the one Baltimore City blog.

Here's my thought: Give us all a raise by canceling the union. Whatever raise they "negotiate" they take through absurdly high dues.

Again, what surveys? I work very hard and I try to be the best teacher possible keeping abreast of the most current research to help my students. How does Baltimore City Schools expect to compare with other school systems when we barely have the tools we need to do our jobs? Workbooks for all students, working computers for students, clean buildings, etc., etc., etc. For the most part, if I want something or need something for my classroom I buy it myself with my own money. How frustrating!

As members of the union, we should be able to view the salaries of the various union positions.

Please, someone clarify the so-called survey. It sounds like a lie to me. Who worked on the contract on behalf of teachers in addition to the union?

What is a pensionable stipend?

I WILL vote NO if I have not had a full text contract to read and a chance to ask and have answered every question I may have.

What about teacher level positions who do not give tests? Art, music, library, PE,etc?

One thing we all need to do is be sure all our fellow staff reads Inside Ed as we have no other way to communicate across the city. Baltimore Country activists had a high level staff member effectively removed by commmunicating and organizing on this blog. Otherwise the city will continue to keep you in the dark.

The survey was on the website for months last school year. It was mentioned several times in the update. As a BR that attends meetings we were asked to verbally inform teachers to complete it as well. So if you or your BR did not "know" about the survey it's on you! All the teachers in my building completed it because we care about what happens to us and wanted our voices to be heard.
Also, the change in health care to Kaiser has NOTHING to do with the Union. That was all BCPS! UHC's bid was too high so they went with Kaiser. That was shared at the BR Retreat. Was your BR there? If not, have an election and elect a BR that will keep you informed. Maybe one of you.

Baltimore City Teacher --

What website?

Your inability to say that in your comment makes me question the effectivness you say you afforded your building.

Nice job blaming people who aren't informed, though. I'm sure none of my colleagues knew about the survey and we have a very active union rep.

You can read the tentative agreement here: http://md.aft.org/btu/
It includes salary scales for the next few years and more detailed information across the board. Everything discussed in terms of advancement seems applicable to all teachers including resource teachers like art or music.

@ Baltimore City Teacher- Thanks for you response. We had a very weak rep last year. Much better this year. I always read the Update-when I get it! As for the website, I would never have thought to look there and frankly there is very little there so I rarely look at it.However, with a heads up, I certainly would have completed the survey. I wonder if our area BTU rep could not have given us a reminder. I have never seen him/her in our building! I will monitor the BTU site more often.

Please do not infer that because we missed the communication loop that we do not care! False and insulting. I look for information wherever I can find it. I cam e from another state wit a strong union that was highly professional. The BTU does not even resemble my former union.