Why We Haven't Settled
The members of STA Units 1, 4, 8, and 10 continue to work under expired contracts. Our terms and conditions of employment continue to be governed by the expired agreements until new contracts are ratified as stipulated in the Triboro Decision. However, under our current salary agreement, there are no automatic yearly raises as in most districts. That means that members must wait and wait and wait for the district to make a proposal that will move our salaries from the bottom of the county salary barrel closer to the top.
Why does it always take so long for the district to settle contracts with STA units?
It is uncertain, but if negotiations move slowly the district can “bank” our raise dollars until a final agreement is struck. Such a management tactic might wear down some negotiating teams and members to accept a bad deal. However, as in the last round of negotiations (1999-2000) members and teams understand that appropriate not quick settlements are what we are working for. Retroactivity was also a condition of the last settlement.
I thought the district wanted to recruit and retain qualified staff? Shouldn’t settling our contracts be a priority?
One would think… Each year talented STA members leave for county districts that treat staff professionally and pay better.
What’s going on with the district’s financial management?
Since our contracts expired on June 30, 2002 independent auditors have reported that the district overspent the 2001-02 budget by $1.89 million without board of education approval. Central office administrators closed out cash capital accounts and pooled the unused cash to close the gap created by overspending.
With all of this talk about accountability, who’s taking responsibility for this overspending?
No one has accepted responsibility for the overspending. However, district administration has blamed rising health care costs as the reason for their overspending. What an interesting way to divert attention from their practice of budgeting too little for health care costs year after year and the poor financial management practices cited in the auditor’s report.
What effect does that have on negotiations?
It slows down negotiations even more. These were dollars that could have been added to the amount available for salary increases. In addition, the city of Syracuse may find it more expensive to borrow money and bond for projects due to the link between city and district finances. This could cost taxpayers more and result in a reduction of funds to the district.
How can we (the members) help?
Continue to support your negotiating team members. Work actively with your building action team (BAT). Contact school board members and the superintendent. Remind them that since our contracts expired on June 30, 2002 the members of STA have continued to work diligently with our community’s children
.
In Unity,Kate
