St. Louis Public Schools teachers vote to approve contract
St. Louis Public School union members approved a contract last night that included a yearly 3 percent raise and some added language on student discipline and seniority.
School and Local 420 officials said 95 percent of those in attendance voted for the contract.
Ray Cummings, the union’s vice president for political education, said he estimated about 900 showed up to vote. The district has roughly 2,800 certificated staff, which include teachers, counselors and social workers, Cummings said.
Secretary and clerical staff had already approved the contract, and did not vote last night.
Union members stormed out of a meeting earlier this month before voting on the contract. Some said later that it had eliminated some long-standing and basic clauses protecting teachers from discipline problems, theft, and unreasonable work place requests.
Some of those phrases were put back in place in this contract, union and district leaders said.
The St. Louis Public School Board will vote to approve the contract at tonight’s 6 p.m. meeting at district headquarters downtown.
Congrats to the teachers. Well done.
This contract was never about money. The Union is well aware of the financial constraints of the district. However, being protected from violent acts committed by students and parents is important. Mr. Hunn, maybe you can finally see this based upon the vote.
If the contract wasn’t about money, then why did they get 3% for each year of the contract. I agree that they should have some kind of protection against violence. I don’t see how the city is going to pay for this in a down time.
I think their pay and benefits should be consistent with the quality of the product they turn out.
Yes RVbuilder, because we all know the only factor in a students development is the teacher…The parents and surroundings have nothing to do with the development of a child as a student…….
RV…your comment sadly reflects the very attitude teachers in this district must deal with from parents. The Union wasn’t concerned solely with money; it was the behaviors in the classroom and the TOTAL lack of accountability in terms of the students and their families that galled them. Until parents and families are willing to accept that THEY are the people who model behaviors their children mimic and bring into the classroom, nothing will improve. If you won’t attend meetings at school, you are telling your child that the person THEY value most (you) could not care less about their education. Therefore, why should the child? If you don’t show respect for other human beings, if you curse, yell, abuse alcohol, abuse drugs, abuse your spouse, abuse the very children themselves, you sanction any abuse the child gives out to others. Sadly, this abuse often happens in the one place the children cannot be “stopped”, the classroom. Teachers have been neutered, and even the youngest of students (often with amazingly young and poorly educated parents) know it. Schools cannot punish, they cannot hold a child or family accountable. Schools are seen as little more than glorified day care centers manned by powerless staff members. If the parents in this community do not take care to change their ways, support their children and back the schools, it will one day be too late. There is an ethical, moral vacuum in the heart of this city and it’s largest group of citizens. The problems of the city school system are mere symptoms.
One last thing…I should not have implied that EVERY teacher in this district is living up to their responsibilities. As with every profession, there are those making choices just as poor as we are seeing from students and families. Those staff members must be removed as well. You can’t ask for change and not be willing to change yourself.
I am all for increased measures regarding discipline and protections for the teachers. Teachers should not be expected to be surrogate parents. In that way, I feel for you all.
However, what entitles you to a 3% annual raise? I usually don’t take such a negative position about economics (I’m usually the one saying I’m not going to ruin my life because people are losing jobs - after all most people are still employed and someone has to be positive and keep things moving!). And I am sympathetic to the St Louis City and it’s school district. I badly want the city to prosper. But let’s face it, the St Louis City school district appears to me to be only a shade or two shy of organized crime in its politics.
So let’s add it up. Stagnant economy, layoffs, wage and salary freezes, reduced government inflows, deficit spending, and I’m sorry, you are NOT underpaid, you work a short day and only 9 months a year! Where is this money coming from? More taxes on property that is still overvalued? Subsidies from a federal government that has incurred record debts?
We need to end the entitlement mentality, and that starts with government employees. Ironic, that they often are among the first to scream “rights” and “freedoms”… Socialism doesn’t include rights and freedoms, you surrender them in exchange for your “security.”
In times of economic distress, when teachers at the two top private schools voluntarily accepted a one year wage freeze, a time a nearly zero inflation, I think this pretty much sums up what is wrong with our pubic schools.
How does a broke district grant wage increases?
That is ridiculous to give such raises when the country is in dire need & most people are lucky to get 1% or even have a job. Teachers are one of the most overpaid professions anywhere. For that kind of money, there should be year round school with only vacation breaks that are not 3 months long.