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Lucia Mar teacher pay dispute not done yet

February 26, 2015

teacherNeither a rally Tuesday, nor a school board meeting brought an end to an ongoing pay dispute between Lucia Mar teachers and district officials, but a resolution to the money disagreement may come soon.

About 400 people, including students and parents, marched from Arroyo Grande High School to the Lucia Mar district offices. The demonstrators carried signs with remarks like, we love our teachers and give them what they deserve.

When the district board convened, about 10 speakers made public comment. Supporters of both the teachers and district administrators are calling for a quick resolution to the contract dispute.

No new developments emerged from a closed session board hearing that followed public comment. But, a fact-finding meeting scheduled for Friday could produce an informal agreement.

The fact-finding panel will consist of a union representative, a district negotiator and a third-party moderator.

District officials are offering the teachers a 2 percent pay increase. Lucia Mar teachers received a 2 percent raise in 2012-2013 and a 4.3 percent bump in pay in 2013-2014.

If they receive a 2 percent salary hike in the current round of negotiations, the teachers’ pay will have jumped by more than 8 percent over the last three years. This would represent the highest increase in pay for teachers in San Luis Obispo County during the past three years.

But, the teachers’ union is demanding a 10 percent raise for its members. The union has threatened a strike if the district does not meet its demand.

Union representatives are comparing their members’ pay to that of teachers in the San Luis Coastal and Coast Unified school districts. Those districts pay their teachers more but have stronger per capita tax bases.

Lucia Mar board member Colleen Martin told CalCoastNews that negotiators should compare apples to apples.

“If you are going to compare Lucia Mar to other school districts, it should be Paso Robles or Atascadero, which are similar in size and demographics,” Martin said. “The amount they get from the state per child is closer to Lucia Mar”

The average Lucia Mar teacher currently receives an annual salary of approximately $61,000.


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It seems to me that those that don’t have the facts should not respond. Your opinion of situations outside you knowledge don’t really have any use. The teachers in Lucia mar have only received 6.3% over the past 9 years, not 3. They are one of, if not the lowest paid on the Central Coast. They are hard working people who take their work home with them! When those of you who work in private sector are home for the evening, they are grading papers and making lesson plans. Most show up earlier than they are contracted to, work through their lunch and leave after their paid hours end. That is not to mention weekends. As far as surfer dude says about wanting the whole 10%, not true! That are asking for a 10% raise which would be 10% based on the percentage of the budget set for salaries. I read all the comments above and it makes me want to be a better teacher so that I can help student to not be as ignorant and closed minded as you all. You also must remember that teachers can’t go to their boss and argue their value and ask for a raise like the rest of you. Teachers teach because they want to make a difference, but they have to be able to provide for their families also.


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And yes, happy employees do work harder! It is easier to do a good job when you don’t have to worry about how your going to pay the bills and feed your family. Think about it.


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It’s not like the district can give away money they do not have.


they are paying teachers to retire. Those teachers are getting like $40 grand to exit.


Wish someone would pay me to retire.


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It would seem to me that parity between the two sides quite simply.


Just give the teachers the same % of pay raise as what the administrators received over the last 7 years. Tie the 2 groups pay raises together and let them put aside their differences and focus on the children.


Just my $0.02 worth……why does it all have to be so difficult?


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I think that both administrators and teachers should get cost of living raises based on inflation, which is certainly more than many in the middle class are getting right now-(and limit the number of administrators of which there are too many.) The more the administrators get paid, the more the teachers demand a similar pay raise. The more the San Luis Obispo city managers/administrators get paid, the more the police, city workers, fire department feel justified in a pay raise. Start from the top, determine salaries based on nationally based salaries, and quit giving exorbitant salaries that exceed the Governor of California to local administrators of our little city of 43,000 citizens!


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It looks like everyone always gets the same from the Superintendent to the janitor.


They all get what they call a “me too!” based on what the teachers get.


The funny thing is, the teachers say the district got 10% more revenue and they want it all – none for secretaries, librarians, custodians or principals.


Greedy!


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Also not true. Custodians, clerical, food services and teaching assistants are in their own Union and already settled a contract. They do not just get what teachers get. Administration does, but should not! again, if you don’t know what your talking about don’t respond.


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Most teachers really care about students and their profession.

It is a shame some teachers spoil the message for all when their behaviour is so unprofessional.

Using your children to communicate your desires is as low as it gets.

I hope the District and the union can cooperate and compromise for the good of them all.


When I did not like my job, I applied elsewhere.


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I’ll bet they wish they were negotiating with San Luis Coastal – see previous story.


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If the teachers were to get a BIG raise, do you think they would do a better job?

NO.


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“If they receive a 2 percent salary hike in the current round of negotiations, the teachers’ pay will have jumped by more than 8 percent over the last three years. This would represent the highest increase in pay for teachers in San Luis Obispo County during the past three years.


But, the teachers’ union is demanding a 10 percent raise for its members. The union has threatened a strike if the district does not meet its demand.”


So how many hard working, stretched to the limits tax payers have received a 8% pay raise over the last 3yrs?

But No…to the Public Employee Unions 8% isn’t enough!


The union thugs are demanding more!


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Your right wing rhetoric is sickening. Every time an employee group stands up for themselves the right wing paints them as thugs. Unions nationwide are down to 11% from a high of 20% in 1983.


You watch to much Fox news and the liar of liars Bill O’Riley.


Who is the bigger thug?


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There is a HUGE difference between a PRIVATE SECTOR union and a PUBLIC SECTOR union, especially in regards to negotiations, etc – I’d ask you learn the difference, but I doubt you’d be honest enough with yourself to accomplish that.


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Don’t worry, the union will make sure the pedophile and sexual deviant teachers remain on the job or allowed to retire with their pensions by making it impossible to fire them


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Kayaknut,


There are times when one is just too ignorant and inept to even try and address their statements. This is one of those times.


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One likely doesn’t have to think too hard to figure out why you would want to keep certain types of teachers teaching…….


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Rich,


If you’re that distraught with your profession, or others, become a teacher. Better yet, get a profession that pays more than the teachers and then they in turn can disparage you because their raises and overall pay is lower than yours. See how it works?


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TS,


There are times when one is just too ignorant and inept to even try and address their statements. This is one of those times.


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