ADRIAN, Mich. – Adrian teachers have rejected their latest contract offer, according to The (Adrian) Daily Telegram. A mediator who has been working with the union and district for several months had written the most recent proposal.
Adrian Superintendent Chris Timmis told The Telegram the proposal included a 5 percent wage reduction and no step increases for 2011-12 or 2012-2013. It also included a cap on how much the district can pay towards health insurance policies in order to comply with state law. He claimed teachers had seen steady pay increases in recent years while other district employees have taken pay freezes or cuts.
Jeff Condon, president of the Adrian Education Association, told The Telegram the proposed changes amounted to “huge concessions” but he couldn’t say if that played a role how individual teachers chose to vote.
Timmis told the Telegram the district was just trying to balance its budget in the face of declining revenues and increasing pension costs. He also noted Adrian was one of the highest-paying districts in Lenawee County.
SOURCE: The (Adrian) Daily Telegram, “Adrian teachers reject contract,” April 15, 2012
FURTHER READING: Mackinac Center for Public Policy, “Oakridge Schools Lets the Sunshine In,” March 15, 2012
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