After protests last week, the American Federation of Teachers has caught the eye of the governor, who will soon sit down with union members to discuss their request to "open up the books."
At a press conference on St. Thomas Monday, AFT President for St. Thomas Vernelle deLagarde said the union is waiting for pay raises for the 2010-2011 school year and was told a few months ago that the money would be available between January and March 2011.
But recently, the union received a letter from Office of Management and Budget Director Debra Gottlieb saying there would be an $82 million shortfall, which has raised concerns for the teachers, she said.
DeLagarde said there was every indication a few months ago that the money would be there, and now the teachers are "frustrated" because they are now being told something different.
"If there is a budget shortfall, we want to help alleviate it," she said. "But we need to be at the table. We need the opportunity to see the financial information that is directly affecting the salary of our members. What we are asking for is the chance to go over the books with the appropriate government people. Let us see ourselves what the projections look like and if possible, see where we can identify cost savings and other options."
St. Croix’s AFT President James Howell said increases for the last year of the contract are minimal: less than $8 for a month for support staff or paraprofessionals, and less than $140 each month for professionals. He also said the union has filed an Unfair Labor Practice Charge (ULPC) with the Public Employees Relations Board as a backup in case they don’t get to see the financials.
While the union does not think the government necessarily went into contract negotiations in bad faith, the ULPC will ensure they get to see the information they want, he said.
The governor has already agreed to a meeting, Government House spokesman Jean Greaux said Monday evening.
"The governor has extended an invitation to the Central Labor Council to meet on Feb. 2," he said. "Any information they desire will be available at that time."
The teachers will be taking their message to the Legislature building Monday night, with a mini-protest before the State of the Territory address. Lunch-hour protests were also held last week at Addelita Cancryn Junior High School, and Charlotte Amalie and Ivanna Eudora Kean high schools. Teachers said the protest at Cancryn also highlighted the need, since the school has not yet been moved, for repairs on the campus.
