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The Medfield School Committee and Medfield Teachers’ Association Agree to Contracts

6/11/2015

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The  Medfield School Committee and Medfield Teachers’ Association have announced an agreement of two successor contracts; one for 2014-2015 and another for 2015-2018. The parties reached the agreements on May 1st without the assistance of a third party mediator. The contracts have been ratified by both School Committee and the Association.

“As a committee, we entered this process with two major goals: to recognize,encourage, and preserve the amazing work our teachers do every day and to reach a long-term financial deal that Medfield can afford.  This contract accomplishes both objectives. It was not always an easy process, but the end result--a contract that works for both sides--was worth it.” commented School Committee Chair, Chris Morrison.

"Association members are very pleased with the outcome and believe the agreement with School Committee to be fair. While the process was challenging at times for everyone involved, it is encouraging to see both sides moving forward and establishing future relations in a positive manner.” said Brendan Hughes, Negotiations Chair.  

“I am proud of the Medfield teachers; many of whom, for the first time, stepped-up in solidarity to become an integral part of the collective-bargaining process. Their resolve positively impacted the outcome." said Joan Dion, President of the Association.

“ All parties worked diligently over the course of many months to reach a favorable contract for all stakeholders. We are confident that the results of the process are very positive for all involved.” added School Committee Negotiator Maryanne Sullivan.

“I am very pleased with the results. The many important language changes are focused on improvements that will ultimately benefit our students”, added Superintendent Jeffrey Marsden.

The details of the first contract include a 1.5% increase in the current school year, along with numerous language changes that focus on increased meeting time for teachers, increased communication, equity and more efficient procedures.

The second contract features an increase of 1.5% in 2015-2016, 1.5%  and increased longevity amounts in 2016-2017, and a 2% increase for all teachers and an additional .5% increase for top step teachers only for the 2017-2018 school year.
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Teachers' Thoughtful Action will not directly impact students

4/16/2015

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Medfield Teachers Association
88R South Street, Medfield, MA 02052
medfield.massteacher.org

April 16, 2015

Medfield Teachers Working for Fair Contract


After working more than eight months without a contract, the Medfield Teachers Association is making its concerns public.  “We want to be sure everyone knows that the Medfield Teachers are still working for a fair contract and we expect the same from the School Committee,” said Brendan Hughes, High School Math teacher and Chair of the Association’s Negotiating Committee.

The School Committee and Association came to a tentative three-year agreement last June that contained a 4.5% general wage increase with an additional 0.5% for teachers at the maximum pay level.  There was a vote in September and the proposed agreement did not pass as the membership was looking for an agreement that was competitive.  The proposed agreement came at a time when the average wage increases across the area have been 6% over three years.  Following the membership’s vote, there have been four negotiations sessions without resolution.

“We are already behind the average of our comparable school districts,” added Kathy Curran, Dale Street School Grade 5 teacher and a member of the Association’s Negotiating Committee. “We're only looking to keep our salary increases consistent with those of other districts.  On almost any scale, Medfield Public Schools are ranked in the top 1% in Massachusetts, and we are simply asking that our wage increases start to reflect that.”

    In addition to compensation, the Medfield Teachers Association is currently concerned about the School Committee’s commitment to reach a new agreement.  “This has gone on long enough,” said Joan Dion, Wheelock School Grade 2 teacher and MTA President.  “I’m proud to see the unity of our membership.  We are working toward a fair agreement and encourage the School Committee to recommit to resolve our differences.”

Yesterday afternoon, the MTA membership voted overwhelmingly to bring their concerns public enacting Phase II of their action plan.  As part of Phase II, members will attend School Committee meetings, reach out to the public, withdraw from non-mandatory committees, and exit schools together once per week at the end of their contractual day.  “Our actions were thoughtfully constructed to have no direct impact on our students,” assured Melinda Lohan, High School Social Studies Teacher and member of the Association’s Negotiating Committee. “We will continue to uphold our high level of professionalism.”

In Phase I, approved by the membership on March 4th, the Association started their campaign by wearing T-shirts once a week, refusing to volunteer for new administrative committee work, and creating a website at medfield.massteacher.org.  Without an agreement by mid-May, the membership is slated to vote for a third phase of increased action.

Contact: Brendan Hughes, MTA Negotiations Chair, brendanhughes1984@gmail.com, 617-365-1016
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Disappointing start to Mediation

4/9/2015

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The Negotiating Team is extremely disappointed to give you the following update.  As you know the Negotiating Team has moved towards mediation.  With a month notice we discussed five dates with the School Committee and they were not available until the last date which was April 8th.   Last night, the Negotiation Team sat in mediation for two and a half hours with shuttle diplomacy without realizing the School Committee chair was not present, thus the School Committee was unprepared to make a decision.  Additionally, the School Committee was not able to give us a date for our next meeting until May. Now more than ever it is imperative that you attend the next all member meeting at Wheelock School on Wednesday, April 15th at 3:20pm.  We plan to discuss and vote on phase two of the action plan.  


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Medfield Teachers Seek a fair contract

3/20/2015

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On Wednesday, March 4, 2015, the Medfield Teachers Association had its best-attended membership meeting to date. At this meeting, the members overwhelmingly approved an action plan designed to support its negotiations team’s goal of reaching a fair agreement. The MTA and School Committee will be using a mediator to help reach an settlement starting April 8.

In September, the MTA rejected an agreement produced during bargaining last year. Still, without a fair agreement in February, the MTA and School Committee decided to bring in a state mediator to assist with negotiations. Mediation is scheduled to start on April 8.

The MTA began an organizing and communication campaign with its members to ensure that the negotiations team receives feedback on what would be acceptable in a new agreement. The MTA membership is also taking action in support of a fair agreement.

The action plan has four phases, and each phase begins with a membership meeting and vote of approval.

The first phase now under way includes MTA T-shirts that members will wear as a sign of solidarity and reminder that educators are working without a contract. The MTA launched a public website for educator news and MTA members will no longer sign up for voluntary committee work.

The next phase is expected to start in the beginning of April. However, the negotiations team hopes a fair agreement can be agreed to before that next phase starts.




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