Madison Teachers Want Pay Raise
Less than a week after a Dane County judge struck down Wisconsin’s law that limited how teachers’ unions in the state could negotiate their contract, the teachers’ union in Madison demanded a new contract.
Madison Teachers’ Inc on Thursday demanded the city’s school board reopen their contract negotiations.
“MTI believes legitimate collective bargaining over wage schedules, hours, and conditions of employment, in addition to base wages, will positively impact the learning environment for our students because educators’ working conditions directly impact students’ learning conditions,” the union’s Executive Director Jeff Knight said in a statement. “A full collective bargaining agreement now will lead to stability with the understanding that the terms cannot be changed unilaterally until a new contract is bargained.”
Act 10 limited teacher union contract negotiations to salaries only That meant an end to contract-mandated benefits, hours, or other issues.
Madison Metropolitan Schools said on Monday that the school board is aware of the union’s demand, and is aware of the likely appeal of the Act 10 decision.
MMSD provided a local TV station (WKOW) a statement that acknowledged it could take some time to settle the questions after Act 10.
“MMSD will stay informed about legal proceedings, consult with legal counsel to understand the precise implications of the ruling, and ensure that changes, if any, are implemented thoughtfully and transparently,” MMSD’s statement said “Districts across the state are waiting on a final order from the Court, which is key to determining the next steps for any work that will need to be done.”
Republican lawmakers have promised to appeal the Dane County judge’s decision, but no one is saying when that appeal process will begin.
Whatever happens at the appeals court level, Act 10 is expected to eventually end-up before the new liberal majority Wisconsin Supreme Court.
That court is expected to strike down Act 10 permanently.
The most recently elected justice, Janet Protasiewicz, said during her campaign in 2023 that she thought Act 10 was unconstitutional. She also protested against Act 10 when it was passed back in 2011, and she signed the recall petition against former Gov. Scot Walker.
Protasiewicz has said she would “have to think about” whether she would recuse herself from the case when or if it makes it to the high court.
MTI has not yet said when it wants to start renegotiating its contract.
Madison Metropolitan Schools just approved a new teachers’ contract, which included a 4% pay raise, back in September.
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