Does Maryland not have binding arbitration? How can the city constantly not settle a contract? I thought that when teachers gave up the right to strike, we got the right to binding arbitration which means all negotiators sit down continuously until a contract is settles.

Another year without a cost of living increase? We have been stuck on the same salary scale forever. Everyone assumes teachers can just wait until things are settled, but early in the year is when teachers need their money the most. I'm disappointed in Alonso and the weak union.

BTU is is just trying to figure out how far they can sell out the teachers before we leave the union, pull out our dues and throw them to Susan G. Komen...

There are new levels of hostility this year that I've never seen before....

I believe that binding arbitration would be a negative for BTU at this point. I believe AAA is trying to make the union impotent. BTU must fight back and keep the things that have been gained through hard work.

Are we getting our step increase?!? No one seems to know... so far it's not showing on Employee Self Service. Should it go into effect since our contract was extended?!? Anyone know?

@ out of the loop... I'm pretty sure we did get our step increases based on the paycheck we just received yesterday (9/3).

At our opening staff meeting Judy Frumkin, who is the VP of the union and a teacher in our building made some announcements. Most of it was pro union bablle, but she did one very unprofessional thing. She told us to be aware of our health care. She was not going to say anymore, except to be aware of the health care. When pressed later, she just kept saying majoy changes were coming, but would not explain. When asked if this meant the dropping of Blue Cross, she just said, "I never said that".
I fear this union contract is going to take us teachers to the mat. Truth is with this group of "leaders" for our union, I would be surprised if we did not get our clocks cleaned.

Maybe your BTU leaders are too busy trying to determine their kick-back for supporting the RTT application because it as the first ( and maybe only) teachers union to support it.

Look to DC....

The day teachers recognize that *they* are the union and not the idiots at Metro Drive is long overdue. We've let the same leadership remain in power election after election, and every contract makes us more and more vulnerable. Time to scrub that office clean and find some union leaders from the front lines.

@city teacher I didn't get a step increase and my step has not changed as of this morning on the human resources self services erp.

No one has received a step increase.

Hmm... that's strange since my pay has definitely increased (though not by much). I just figured it was due to the step increases. Guess I'll check it again.

I am not clear on how it can be legal to not even inform teachers that they would not receive their expected step increases. I would think at least a memo would have gone out from either BTU or BCPSS. ugh.

Your pay did NOT increase because of a step increase. Deductions aren't taken out until your next paycheck - check again and you'll see that your union dues, pension, healthcare, prescription plan, etc deductions just weren't taken out. Your paycheck will drastically drop this week, back to what it was earlier this summer.

BTU fees are higher than healthcare co-pays.

Why are we FORCED to pay almost $1000 a year to BTU? That is unjust.

How much does BTU staff earn? 150k each?

Whatever "pay increases" we get go to them so that they can spend their time lobbying for higher fees. What a crock.

What's to stop them from charging us double?

There is a lot of misinformation posted on this blog folks! Read the update and your contract! They are still in talks, there are parts that are unacceptable and they are trying to work out. Health Information was sent out about the changes coming and open enrollment. We did not lose BC/BS.Extention of contract means we just continue with what is already in the contract till the new one is ratified.If a raise or step in included it is retroactive.They are trying to union bust and you are buying into it...you are the union and members vote on dues at the meetings.Hope this helps someone.

@deedee The problem with the extension of the contract is that our current contract is already an extension of the previous one. The step increase should have gone into effect with the first check- not be retroactive. No step increase, no cost of living in what- 4 years. I don't know about you, but as a teacher I need the money in September, not in October, or November, or whenever this Union caves in again to Alonso. This Union leadership needs to stop worring so much about national politics, retirement parties, and cruises, and focus more on protecting the rights we've earned as professionals.

@deedee-Thanks for the update. However, i have received no notifications from the union about anything! I did receive a calendar. That is it! The union needs to do a much better job of communicating. And contracts need to be settled in a timely manner. I have been in the city nearly 20 years and negotiaitons are always drawn out. Not so in other states. As far as union busting, our union needs to step it up. I would like to see an indepth investigation of what the union does and does not do, the financials of the union, salaries, etc.

@deedee-Thanks for the update. However, i have received no notifications from the union about anything! I did receive a calendar. That is it! The union needs to do a much better job of communicating. And contracts need to be settled in a timely manner. I have been in the city nearly 20 years and negotiaitons are always drawn out. Not so in other states. As far as union busting, our union needs to step it up. I would like to see an indepth investigation of what the union does and does not do, the financials of the union, salaries, etc.

Excuse me dee dee, but explain to me when this health information was sent out? I certainly never received it. I also didn't receive any information about the current negotiations. Looking at the August Update that I have in front of me (and I do save every Union flyer), there has not been 1 mention of negotiations or changes. Unless my school's rep is withholding information, the union has done little, if anything, to let the members know what is occurring.

@ Mike-EXACTLY!! @ Wise Educator-EXACTLY! @ANON-Exactly! The Update is a useless waste of paper. I need my money now! I need the union to look at how hiring and firing is done. They also need to look at other aspects of the contract. It is violated all over the place and teachers are afriad to make any waves. So what is the point of a contract. 20 page lesson plans collected daily, 2o-sometings in positions of leadership who have little experience in the classroom. Book smart-experience poor. There are serious violations that are probably court worthy.

I just read some of the entries on this blog. A couple of notes - the teachers' contract is very close to being settled. I have heard that it continues items that will be of national importance including some very sweeping reforms. As far as I know, the teachers who were involved with negotiations spent many hours of their own time (including during the summer) and received no compensation so that they could represent the members of the Union. It will be interesting to read these messages once the contract is given to the teachers for ratification or comment. It would be wonderful if the teachers who are complaining on this blog made their opinions known to the BTU. There are many opportunities to serve on committees and to get involved with the Union!!!!

@bea Well it is almost October, so I would hope the contract is almost ready. And for your information, I am very involved in the Union. I am a rep and have been on commitees in the past. I have also called the Union several times for an update to no avail. If the Union bows down to Alonso with these sweeping reforms in exchange for a long overdue cost of living adjustment, or new salary scale, then I will be really disappointed and disillusioned with the BTU.