Interesting Site to check out !!!
Florida Divison of Retirement
You can see your projected retirement and if in DROP,
see your account.

DTU and DCPS Reach Tentative Agreetment Aug 25, 2010

Collective Bargaining Update:

DTU and the DCPS met at the negotiations table on August 25, 2010. A tentative agreement was reached regarding salaries for the teacher and paraprofessional units only. The reason that only Teacher and Paraprofessional Unit economic issues were addressed was because of the financial urgency declared by the DCSB.  The financial urgency addressed automatic step. Only the Teacher and Paraprofessional units have automatic step in their contracts. Florida statute required that teachers and paras go to the table and settle the issue regarding automatic step within 14 days of the financial urgency declaration. Since The UOPD unit does not have automatic step language, they were not called to the table by the DCSB.  The UOPD unit will be going to the table shortly. DTU will fight for step for the UOPD Unit.  

The Tentative Agreement provided for step for paraprofessionals with a $250 one time lump sum payment off the salary schedule for paras at step 95.

The Tentative Agreement for teachers provided for step and a $500 one time lump sum payment off the salary schedule for teachers on step 95. Also, a joint committee will be formed to look at restructuring the teacher salary schedule to address the inequities in steps. If such a schedule is devised, it will go to the Teacher Unit for ratification later in the year.

These agreements must be ratified. Please look for the ratification mailing early next week. Ratification ballots are due to the DTU office by September 8, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. A ratification meeting to address questions will be held before ballots are counted at the close of the business day on Sept. 8. The meeting will be held at DTU at 4:30, Sept 8, 2010. If you do not receive a ballot, you may pick one up at the DTU office. A picture I.D. will be required.

Financial Urgency Declared Aug 9 by DCSB

Teacher Letter

DTU’s Expertise Prevails in Averting the Erosion of Salaries and Benefits:

2010-2011 Tentative Teacher Agreement Reached During State of Financial Urgency

After intensive deliberation and strategizing regarding the recent declaration of “financial urgency” by the DCSB, DTU was able to prevail in reaching a Tentative Agreement (“TA”) with DCPS for the Teacher Unit.  The declaration of “financial urgency” required that DTU be brought to the table immediately to come to a resolution on salary within a 14 day period. It also gave the DCSB the statutory right to dismiss the payment of automatic step for the Teacher Unit. Once at the table, DCPS tried to remove the teacher contract provision that allows for automatic step. In spite of the “financial urgency” declaration, DTU was able to prevail, not only in getting step for Teacher Unit members along with money for those at the top of the schedule, but also in maintaining the existing automatic step language and a non-contributory health insurance plan. Acquiring step and money at the top, maintaining a non-contributory health insurance plan, and avoiding a RIF (Reduction in Force) were the priorities identified by teachers in the DTU Collective Bargaining Survey completed in April of  2010. All of these priorities were accomplished by DTU in the face of increasing unemployment in Florida and across the nation, pay cuts to Duval fire and police employees, and furloughs of city employees.

The “TA” provides for step movement for members of the Teacher Unit who received satisfactory evaluations and a $500 one-time lump sum payment for Teacher Unit members at the top of the salary schedule. The lump sum payment will count for retirement purposes. DCPS refused to place the $500 at the top on the salary schedule. The salary movement is contingent upon the infusion of $20 million in new money coming from the EDUJOBS Bill which was recently passed by Congress.  The cost to the District for step movement, the $500 one-time payment for those at the top of the schedule, as well as the District F.I.C.A. and retirement costs comes to $6,632,485. The cost to the District for health insurance per employee is $6,281.

In addition to the salary agreement, DTU has tentatively agreed to form a joint committee to look at restructuring only the teacher salary schedule in an effort to make the monies across steps more equitable. Any salary schedule produced by this committee would be subject to ratification by teachers before implementation.

The Teacher Unit Tentative Agreement proposals are included in this mailing. Please remember that getting a Tentative Agreement is only the first step in the process. The DTU Board must agree to the “TA.” Teacher Unit members must ratify the “TA,” and then it must receive DCSB approval for implementation.

Ratification will be conducted via the ballot process. Enclosed is a ratification ballot. No return postage is necessary. Ballots may be returned to DTU by U.S. mail (NOT SCHOOL MAIL) or in person. We urge you to participate in the ratification process. Please review the Tentative Agreement. Complete the ballot indicating whether you agree or disagree to ratify the Tentative Agreement proposals. If the Agreement is not ratified, DTU will be required to return to the table. Before ratification ballots are counted, a meeting will be conducted at DTU to discuss the Agreement and answer any questions. That meeting is scheduled for ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­September 8, 2010 at 4:30 p.m.

Please prepare and mail the ballot as per directions. Only correctly completed ballots received at the DTU Headquarters by September 8, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. will be counted.  Ballots will be counted at 5:00 p.m. on the same date.

DTU appreciates all of you and the hard work you do each day. Many thanks go to the Teacher Bargaining Committee members for their input and support throughout the process. DTU worked diligently to be able to maintain non-contributory health insurance and step increases through this “financial urgency” declaration and the current national financial crisis.  Duval is one of the few districts in Florida that have maintained non-contributory health insurance and the only district in the state to have an automatic step provision. We would like to thank each of you for your patience and support while fighting for this settlement.

Sincerely,

_____________________     ___________________     _____________________

Terrie Brady, DTU President           Ruby George, Executive V.P.     Susan Beauchamp, Teacher 1^st V.P.

___________________________

Mirta Martinez, Chief Negotiator

DTU/DCPS Teacher Tentative Agreement Proposals:

DTU/DCPS Proposal #1

The parties agree that the current salary schedule is not equitable due to the inconsistency of the spread of dollar amounts between steps.  A committee composed of an equal number of members appointed by DTU and by the employer will begin by October 1 to work on creating a new teacher salary schedule that compresses and equalizes steps.   By a target date of  March 1, 2011, the committee will develop a proposed salary schedule with a negotiated plan for conversion and a timeline for implementing and a summary of funding implications.  The schedule, plan and timeline will be submitted to each respective bargaining team for further appropriate action.

DTU/DCPS Proposal #2

The following proposal is contingent upon DCPS receiving at least $20 million from the EduJobs federal legislation.

Teachers, Psychologists, Instructional Specialists, Administrative Specialists, who worked one day more than half during the 2009-2010 school year and who have satisfactory evaluations will advance one step on the salary schedule with retroactive pay to July 1, 2010.  Teachers, Psychologists, Instructional Specialists, Administrative Specialists, who were on step 95 during 2009-2010 will receive a $500 lump sum in lieu of a permanent increase in the base rate of pay. 

Para Letter

DTU’s Expertise Prevails in Averting the Erosion of Salaries and Benefits:

2010-2011 Tentative Paraprofessional Agreement Reached During State of Financial Urgency

After intensive deliberation and strategizing regarding the recent declaration of “financial urgency” by the DCSB, DTU was able to prevail in reaching a Tentative Agreement (“TA”) with DCPS for the Paraprofessional Unit.  The declaration of “financial urgency” required that DTU be brought to the table immediately to come to a resolution on salary within a 14 day period. It also gave the DCSB the statutory right to dismiss the payment of automatic step for the Paraprofessional Unit. Once at the table, DCPS tried to remove the contract provision that allows for automatic step. In spite of the “financial urgency” declaration, DTU was able to prevail, not only in getting step for Paraprofessional Unit members along with money at the top, but also in maintaining the existing automatic step language and maintaining a non-contributory health insurance plan. Acquiring step and money at the top, maintaining a non-contributory health insurance plan, and avoiding a RIF (Reduction in Force) were the priorities identified by paraprofessionals in the DTU Collective Bargaining Survey completed in April of 2010. All of these priorities were accomplished by DTU in the face of increasing unemployment in Florida and across the nation, pay cuts to Duval fire and police employees, and furloughs of city employees.

The “TA” provides for step movement for members of the Paraprofessional Unit and a $250 one-time lump sum payment for paraprofessionals at the top of the salary schedule. The lump sum payment will count for retirement purposes. DCPS refused to place the $250 at the top on the salary schedule. The salary movement is contingent upon the infusion of $20 million in new money coming from the EDUJOBS Bill which was recently passed by Congress.  The cost to the District for step movement, the $250 one-time payment to those at the top of the schedule, as well as the District F.I.C.A. and retirement costs is $496,072. The cost to the District for health insurance per employee is $6,281.

Please review the Paraprofessional Unit proposal contained in this mailing. Please remember that getting a Tentative Agreement is only the first step in the process. The DTU Board must agree to the “TA.” Paraprofessional Unit members must ratify the “TA,” and then it must receive DCSB approval for implementation.

Ratification will be conducted via the ballot process. Enclosed is a ratification ballot. No return postage is necessary. Ballots may be returned to DTU by U.S. mail (NOT SCHOOL MAIL) or in person. We urge you to participate in the ratification process. Please review the Tentative Agreement. Complete the ballot indicating whether you agree or disagree to ratify the Tentative Agreement. If the Agreement is not ratified, DTU will be required to return to the table. Before ratification ballots are counted, a meeting will be conducted at DTU to discuss the Agreement and answer any questions. That meeting is scheduled for ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­September 8, 2010 at 4:30 p.m.

Please prepare and mail the ballot as per directions. Only correctly completed ballots received at the DTU Headquarters by September 8, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. will be counted.  Ballots will be counted at 5:00 p.m. on the same date.

DTU appreciates all of you and the hard work you do each day. Many thanks go to the Paraprofessional Bargaining Committee members for their input and support throughout the process.  DTU worked diligently to be able to maintain non-contributory health insurance and step increases through this “financial urgency” declaration and the current national financial crisis.  Duval is one of the few districts in Florida that have maintained non-contributory health insurance and the only district in the state to have an automatic step provision. We would like to thank each of you for your patience and support while fighting for this settlement.

Sincerely,

__________________________     _______________________    

Terrie Brady, DTU President                           Ruby George, Executive V.P.     

_________________________________      ______________________________

Bonnie Moale, Paraprofessional 1^st V.P.                      Mirta Martinez, Chief Negotiator

DTU/DCPS Paraprofessional Tentative Agreement Proposal:

The following proposal is contingent upon DCPS receiving at least $20 million from the EduJobs federal legislation.

Paraprofessionals  who worked one day more than half during the 2009-2010 school year will advance one step with retroactive pay to July 1, 2010.  Paraprofessionals  who were on step 95 during 2009-2010 will receive a $250 lump sum in lieu of a permanent increase in the base rate of pay. 

DTU Hotline Update for Thursday, July 29, 2010

MAP Update:

The DOE has been reviewing the results of FCAT testing at the request of School District Superintendents. This means that there will be a delay in the reporting of official FCAT scores.  DCPS will be unable to begin individual teacher calculations for MAP awards until the scores have been reviewed.  MAP monies can’t be awarded until the individual calculations are made. This will delay the identification of teachers who will receive the MAP awards. DTU will keep you notified of any progress as it is made.

Bargaining Update:

The DCSB will meet in the shade next week. After that time, DTU will be trying to schedule a time to go to the table for negotiations. In the mean time, DTU continues to looks at budgets for available funds.

CB Communication #1: 3/12/10

DTU Collective Bargaining
Organizational Committee Meeting Notice
Teacher and Paraprofessional Units
at DTU
Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 4:30 P.M.

DTU is in the process of organizing Collective Bargaining Committees for 2010-2011, to identify issues for contract negotiations for the Teacher and Paraprofessional Units. We are seeking volunteers from the Teacher and Paraprofessional Units for these very important committees.

The responsibilities of the committee members entail the following:

·         creating and tabulating collective bargaining surveys; identifying issues for negotiations; and constructing contract language to address issues.  

The Collective Bargaining Committee is separate from the Collective Bargaining Team, which is the group that actually goes to the negotiations table. The Collective Bargaining Team, however, is selected from those participating on the Collective Bargaining Committee.  

DTU Building Rep 2010 2011

What's New at the NEA Professional Library? Stay in the Know with First Edition! Things are happening at the NEA Professional Library…new books on autism, bullying, kindergarten, and much, much more are arriving all of the time. The NEA Professional Library has innovative resources you can use to help improve student achievement and create a great public school for every child. You can keep abreast of new Professional Library offerings by subscribing to the Library's monthly newsletter, First Edition. Whether you're a veteran educator or brand new to the classroom, you'll find materials in the Professional Library to help you meet the challenges that you face every day. And keep in mind…the NEA Professional Library is now the official source of Read Across America gear…keep in touch with all of the new Dr. Seuss materials by subscribing to First Edition!

Do we have your email address so you can get the latest news?
Cannot use your DCSB email for most DTU business