MCEA and Other School Unions Agree to Renegotiations
 Yesterday, the leadership of the three school employee unions announced that their executive boards have agreed to re-open negotiations over their collective bargaining agreements for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
Late Monday, MCEA along with the other two unions representing MCPS employees, SEIU Local 500 and MCAASP, met with the County Executive’s staff to review the state of the county’s economy. The most recent data affirms what earlier numbers suggested: that there is a serious slowdown underway in the economy that is going to significantly impact county revenues in next year’s budget.
Contract talks are expected to begin soon. All three organizations have expressed a desire to reach agreement on new terms as quickly as possible. The three unions will be negotiating as a joint team.
Without mutual agreement on new terms, the Board of Education is legally obligated to include the previously negotiated contracts in their budget proposal to the county government, whether or not it would result in major layoffs or changes in class size across the county.
Besides reviewing terms and conditions of the current contract, the unions are also working with the administration on the overall MCPS budget plan for next year. The three unions believe that meaningful additional savings can be found through streamlining of operations in the central office and reductions in non-school based expenditures.
Any change in the current contract between MCEA and MCPS must be approved by the full membership. “We are committed to keeping our members fully informed as this process moves forward,” said MCEA President Bonnie Cullison.
On the Job
Indoor Air Quality, Thermostat Control
Article 10 of the contract (pgs. 20-21) starts off saying. “The Board and MCEA agree that it is our common interest to achieve, maintain and, if necessary, restore healthy and safe physical environments in all MCPS schools and facilities, so that all staff, students and parents can learn, teach, and support leaning and teaching.” This section, A1, sets the tone for the whole article that addresses health and safety, temperature and facilities.
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Teacher Tips
Leftover pumpkins? An Integrated Pumpkin Activity
(grades 3-5)
If you can find some post-Halloween pumpkins still around, this is a great integrated teaching concept. In this unit, you combine units of math, science, folklore/history, astronomy and healthy eating.
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