Settlement Proposal Update
Negotiations are never easy and it's rare to get everything we want, but tremendous strides were made from where we started on the night of the State of the State. If there is a breakdown in this package being passed by the senate and the house, then we reserve the right to return to the picket line.
PEIA:
While AFT-WV remains committed to the goal of a dedicated funding stream for PEIA, it was apparent that this was not going to occur during the final 10 days of the legislative session. The positive side is that employees are guaranteed a seat at the table to develop a long-term solution within 6 months. This is much better than relying solely on legislators to find a permanent fix.
A two-pronged approach will prevent additional financial burdens to employees in the short term as well as provide a mechanism to develop a long-term fix.
- Short term: All PEIA changes and costs are frozen for a 16-month period. Go 365 and total family income provisions are repealed permanently. This provides immediate financial relief for employees.
- Long term: A PEIA Task Force will be formed to develop a long-term fix for PEIA funding. Stakeholders will include teachers, service personnel, state employees, legislators and representatives from PEIA and the Governor’s office.
Salary:
The pay raise will be $2020 for teachers and $1100 for service personnel. The salary increase will be 3% for state employees and will be first salary increase in 13 years. Frontloading the increase also allows us to take the maximum raise we can get from the current legislature this year and not limiting ourselves to 1% for the next two years.
Seniority:
The bills attacking seniority have been pulled off the table.
Charter Schools/ Education Savings Accounts:
Bills to defund public education by creating charter schools and/or education savings accounts have been pulled off the table.
Deduction of Union Dues:
The bill to interfere with your union dues deduction has been pulled off the table.