U-46 staff won't see step increase in upcoming paychecks

Leaders of the Elgin Teachers Association says they will file a complaint against Elgin Area School District U-46 after the district advised all teachers and support staff this week that it would continue to withhold step increases until a new contract is reached.

In a letter sent to members of the Elgin Teachers Association on Wednesday, Superintendent Jose Torres said members would not receive pay increases related to longevity. The union and district continue to negotiate a contract to succeed the one that expired Aug. 1. Both parties will meet again Saturday.

“During negotiations, the law requires us to maintain the status quo with respect to compensation and working conditions,” Torres said. “Since the parties agreed in their negotiations for last year to forgo any step movement, we believe that is the status quo.”

If both parties agree to step increases as part of a new contract for the 2011-2012 school year, the board of education would make necessary adjustments, Torres added.

But teachers association President Kathryn Castle in a letter to members said the decision to withhold step increases in unjust.

“The district has informed you of a decision to not honor past practice and instead is unilaterally imposing a continued step freeze,” Castle wrote. “There is no legal requirement to withhold step, nor is there legal precedent to support this decision. If that is indeed the action they take, we will file an unfair labor practice charge with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board.”

In addition, Castle posted an open letter to the school board, claiming the district is not doing the best it can for students or families.

“The Elgin Agreement does have processes to move our schools to success,” Castle wrote on the teachers association blog. “It was crafted and signed by the ETA, District Administration, and the Board of Education. But now, the members of the ETA have seen little evidence that the intent and values of our work are still honored and respected by the Board or the Administration.”

The district is also steeped in contract negotiations with five other unions. Torres said step increases for those members also are on hold until a new contract is reached.