Statement
from LCTA by Association President Mandy Redfern to LCUSD School Board
on May 10th, 2005:
"The teachers in this district are
dedicated to a high quality of education. When you walk through
our classrooms it is obvious that there is a great appreciation for our
students and a great love for our profession. Our API scores are
2nd in the state and yet our salary is not second in the state.
"According to the latest LA County
Office of Education’s Survey of salaries and benefits, which I have
provided, we are ranked 34th out of 47 for teachers entering our
district with a bachelors and no experience. You can find
this information on page B-13. On page B-15 we are ranked 29th
out of 34 districts for teachers with a BA plus 30 units with 5 years
of experience. Then if you look at the information on page B –18
you will see that teachers who have dedicated 25 years or more to this
profession are only ranked 25th out of 47 districts in the
county. These rankings do not show the teachers that the district
values our dedication.
"Teachers have not received a cost of
living increase in three years and in this time the consumer price
index has risen over 8%. Life costs more and we do not have more.
The Blue Cross increase was zero this year and is a modest 4.5% for
next year, which is down from the 14% increase the district
anticipated. Can the district predict the cost of health
care? No. Can the district predict the costs of gas or your
electric bills? No. There will always be variability in the
district’s costs. It is not fair to force teachers to take all of
the risk of variability in health care costs.
"When we looked through the
district’s budget we found 8.8% in reserves when you only need
3%. The extra money in your accounts will more than cover the
costs of health and welfare benefits for next year and a cost of living
increase AND there would still be money left over.
"We presented a meaningful proposal
today, including the 2% STRS diversion to healthcare and the district
negotiator said "no health care cap, no deal" without considering the
proposal. We are asking you tonight to consider our proposal in
good faith.
"It is a sad day in La Canada when
the district has more than enough money to provide it’s dedicated
employees with quality healthcare yet the district’s negotiator
threatens to go to impasse unless the teachers voluntarily slash their
healthcare benefits. The teachers are here tonight to show you
that we are committed to doing whatever is necessary to protect our
healthcare benefits and ensure a fair contract settlement."
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"Teachers have not received a cost of
living increase in three years and in this time the consumer price
index has risen over 8%. Life costs more and we do not have more.
The Blue Cross increase was zero this year and is a modest 4.5% for
next year, which is down from the 14% increase the district
anticipated. Can the district predict the cost of health
care? No. Can the district predict the costs of gas or your
electric bills? No. There will always be variability in the
district’s costs. It is not fair to force teachers to take all of
the risk of variability in health care costs.
"We presented a meaningful proposal
today, including the 2% STRS diversion to healthcare and the district
negotiator said "no health care cap, no deal" without considering the
proposal. We are asking you tonight to consider our proposal in
good faith.