Rochester Educators Push for Contract Settlement

Educators in the Rochester Community Schools are continuing to push for a satisfactory contract settlement, with its union, the Rochester Education Association (REA), currently bargaining the contract that expired on Aug. 15.

Until a settlement is reached, teachers are continuing to work under the provisions of that contract, including salaries and benefits, district spokeswoman Debra Hartman said.

"The two teams are meeting regularly according to a mutually agreed-upon calendar," she said. "The Board of Education's goal is to come to a mutual labor agreement with the REA that aligns expenses with revenues, is mindful of current economic conditions and preserves educational opportunity for all students."

Literature distributed by the REA, however, indicates Rochester Community Schools is not in a deficit and continues to add money to its fund surplus because Public Act 54 allows school districts to withhold step increases and increases for advanced degrees so long as no agreement is in place. 

According to the Oakland Press, members of the 947-member REA have been picketing and showing unity at school board meetings, with several teachers wearing red shirts at a meeting earlier this month.

REA President Doug Hill told the Oakland Press major issues for educators include salary, benefits and working conditions, but declined to elaborate, stating he won't bargain outside the bargaining table.