I would like to respond to Deb Pallash’s Letter to the Editor to the Newport Daily News titled “Fight with unions cannot interfere with education” by thanking her for her efforts to help improve Tiverton’s schools. Of particular interest was Ms. Pallash’s statement “Long-term changes can never be achieved through force, bullying or disrespect″. We could not agree more.
One might suppose her words are directed towards National Education Association Tiverton leadership, for their role in slow rolling the current Teacher contract negotiations through numerous State Labor Board Complaints and petty squabbles over ‘ground rules’. Instead, it is the School Committee Ms Pallash seeks to caution from engaging in such behavior, and instead, “find rational middle ground”. While Ms Pallash is thoughtful and well intentioned, there is more we must be aware of.
According to NEA/Tiverton Union President Amy Mullen, NEA Assistant Director Patrick Crowley has filed complaints with the Rhode Island State Labor Relations Board regarding the posting of information about contract negotiations on the Tiverton Schools’ web site. This posting is mostly basic budget data describing Tiverton’s School Budget. It contains, among other things, over a half million dollars for pay raises and almost $300K for increases in health benefits. Yes, an INCREASE of over $800K over the previous contract. Instead of accepting this generous offer, despite desperate economic conditions, the NEA has taken to filing grievances. I do not believe ‘middle ground’ is what Mullen and Crowley are after. They want more, and they want it out of the public’s view. This sounds like the force, bullying and disrespect to which Ms Pallash refers; from the union towards the school committee, the town and ultimately the students of the Tiverton Schools.
Taxpayers have funded this generosity for too long. Taxpayers are angry at government that will not control spending, while allowing students to suffer with less. TCC supports the preservation of current student programming, holding the line on taxes and reduction of labor costs through contract reform. Any 2010 spending increases must be kept well below the Tax Cap.
Unbelievably, the tone deaf NEA feel big salary increases combined with generous health and retirement benefits are a right, not a privilege, and ignore the needs of our community. To pay next years’ $20 million in labor costs the School Committee is contemplating cutting funding for books, pencils and paper for heavens sake! Do you want your town officials to allow this?
Had enough? Create Change, become a candidate for Tiverton public office. Email us at info@tivertonCC.com.
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