AFT Emergency Mtg Re: Economic Stability Act & court case August 17, 2011 Rough notes by Christine A.G.Davis

Status Update 30 letters officially received by AFT to leave education Atty Pedro Williams On behalf of 3 unions: AFT, Nurses &… – ESAct section 4 Judge Gomez – Hearing w/ Judge; atty representing the unions Judge suggest a holding “stand still agreement” while the matter is addressed

St Cx lawyers didn’t want a still agreement. Didn’t feel they’d be ready for trial with a week. Stand Still Agreement suggestion failed. In the meantime the J. denied motion for TRO (temp Restraining Order). Aug 2 nd J’s position – J wanted to move the case quickly (fast track it). Try the case by the 1 st week of Dec. (11 th ?). Atty considers this a short prep time.

Lawsuit The gist of the issue…. – To determine whether it was necessary to impose the salary roll back. Financial expert will be making the determination Unions Position Gov’t doesn’t have the right to impede empl. Bargaining. Gov’t should have come to the table to negotiation w/ union on this matter Therefore the gov’t denied empl’s legal rights

There a 8 or 9 unions effected. – Union lawyers are trying to work together to move things along Where will case be tried? St T or St Cx? – Cost of travel for witnesses issue. – CLC wants to reduce the number of attys repres. To lower legal expense. The unions did not agree on this. Fewer attys to do a lot of work.

Commitment from the gov’t that the 8% will not kick in for edu until sept. (after summer pay) There is nothing in the legislation to prevent the VI gov’t from revisiting the salary roll back, or even laying off people anyway. **Federally funded empl. have been effected as well.

If contract expires August 31 st w/o Union extension – Gov’t can say that’s it (game changer) ie. No worker rights through collective bargaining agreement Concern significant # of students coming in from private school Elementary class size is 30 Union has already filed a FPC (failure to practice charge….[raise issue])

Mar 8 th Letter to Governor Ask for financial reports – Union hadn’t received documents pertaining to 8 specific points Received Jul 11 th Credit and service $10,000 incentive only for those in good standing – No unpaid loans, NOPA discrepency, – Thus the $10,000 incentive will be granted on an individual basis

Impact on Retirement If salary is reduced – Retirement anuity will be based on the highest 5 yrs of ten. – Get records reviewed by GERS Could There Be More Cuts? 2012 Budgets could have lay offs. There was nothing in the bill to prevent this

Bill (law) 29 sect (?) Bill states for those who want to keep negotiation salary …next 2 yrs) – Member must pay in the GERS diff. for that 2 yrs per. – Marbull added information: – Can retire in 2 years and get current salary. Will have to pay empl. & gov’t GER contribution along with 6% interest – Is the 3 % additional contribution for persons w/ 30 yr plus

GERS lawsuit Is there a GERS lawsuit against the gov’t? No comment from AFT pres.

AFT Pres. Comments 200 persons were hired after the hiring freeze Where is the across the board belt tightening. Leased cars, credit cards, paid gas *******end pres. comments Irresponsible leg. practice 1994, 2000 early retirement bill created unfunded liability. cdavis What happens if educators have to be hired back (as contract, as beginning employees …??) cdavis

Comments from AFT Pres. Monday Aug 22 nd – Policy Committee mtg. School s that have not made AYP yet – There may have been improv shown but did not make the benchmark » These can go into receivership About Marceli Elementary – Closed – PTA filed a TRO, but governor said its closed AFT will extend contract past aug 30 th Pres. Will visit schools to see what staff deficiencies are

Contract Professional Development days – Elem level PD increaded to 5 days – There are 2 preschool wkshop for all We will are not being compensated for them There was no funding for consultants to come in for PD workshops