TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV)—The Leon Classroom Teachers Association has been negotiating for increased pay and classroom support for weeks, but now LCTA says those negotiations are starting from scratch.
In a letter posted to LCTA’s social media Friday, the group claims Leon County Schools expected the union to separate the votes for contract language and pay, knowing the language would likely pass even if the pay proposal failed. “Instead, we acted transparently and presented one unified package for members to vote on, because that is what integrity demands,” the letter read.
LCTA claims this “act of good faith” is being used against them. The letter accuses LCS of refusing to address the issue of fair pay, which is what prevented ratification.
“Instead, as apparent retaliation for that decision, the District intends to throw out all of the progress we’ve made and restart the bargaining process from scratch, inserting new language designed to limit employee rights,” the letter said.
The scathing letter from LCTA accuses LCS of not valuing its employees. “Starting over serves only one purpose – to send a message that educators should accept whatever is placed before them, regardless of fairness or impact,” LCTA’s letter said.
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A statement from Leon County Schools emphasized that the district values its employees, but it said the tentative agreement was always a single package, not two separate votes.
“The District deeply values our teachers and the work they do each day for students,” the statement said. “However, we have been transparent from the beginning that the tentative agreement was a single package – compensation and contract language together – and that if rejected, the entire contract would need to be renegotiated.”
LCS said it respects the union’s vote, but said there are no additional funds available without cutting programs. Citing depleted reserves and rising expenses, LCS said focus must now remain on “protecting classrooms, supporting students, and urging the Legislature to adequately fund public education.”
The tentative agreement between LCTS and LCS was reached in early October after several rounds of negotiation. However, just weeks later, the agreement was not ratified.
In Friday’s post, LCTA said they “are ready to do the work and fight for what you and your students need and deserve,” and encouraged instructional employees to submit contract language on any article for consideration.
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