One of theoneOne has to ask, “Why approve this MOU if it does not guarantee that teachers will be rescinded when our members take Budget Cut Days.”  That is a good question. Remember that this MOU is an understanding between both, the FTA and FUSD. There are protections against any further cuts for 2010-2011, and while there are no guarantees about returning member’s jobs, there are conditions that allow FTA to monitor fiscal conditions, and put pressure on the district to rescind members as money allows. There is also a position statement included that says we believe getting our members back to work is an important priority for FTA. These are important statements of understanding.  When the FUSD and FTA signed this agreement, they agreed to that priority. 

It is also a matter of transparency and honesty that you know the facts as they exist.  FTA does not think that anyone can guarantee rescinding our teachers given the financial deficit in our district and the state budget unknowns, but MOU restoration language does give us a better position. If you look at the larger picture in the surrounding districts, they are giving as much, and in many cases more just to survive this year. I agree that the conditions seem nebulous, but we understand the "financial triggers" and this MOU puts the responsibility on the district to react appropriately given that those conditions improve. Indeed the district has already started rescinding teacher based on this MOU, pending member approval.

Remember that other measures to cut salary across the salary schedule and freezing step and column are not part of this agreement and remain intact. Also benefits for 2010-2011 have been maintained at the current cost and there are still no out of pocket increases to members on Kaiser and Blue Shield. Not every district can say they maintained those items for their members. This is a stabilizing agreement, with the potential to bring many teachers back to their positions. We are cautious, and must maintain however, that the reality in this financial crisis is that there are no guarantees to that effect.  Even though we believe this MOU helps to do just that, return teachers to their jobs, we cannot guarantee it.

What happens if we do not approve the five budget cut days?  If we reject, then the MOU is not ratified and does not continue. We would then have to return to negotiations or consider it dead.  The understanding regarding financial triggers will not be agreed upon. The responsibility the school board has to identify those programs as priorities will not be part of this agreement.  These protections against further cuts for next year will be gone.

This year, FUSD calculated that 5 furlough days across the board, by every employee, would be needed to balance the budget with a $30 million deficit.  To our members that is approximately a 2.7% cut in salary.  While we did not get a guarantee to return RIF’d teachers, there is a guarantee to prevent further cuts and that is important because it prevents August layoffs.   Remember that this MOU is only valid only for the 2010-2011 school year. 

Last year FUSD would not offer a guarantee and we did not bargain furlough days.  We still have approximately 100 members out of work.  This year the FUSD laid off another 171 members bringing the total to 271 laid off FTA members.  Some of those members have been rescinded because we have tentatively agreed to this MOU on budget cut days. 

Because the impact of this MOU is personal and important to our members, FTA is conducting a full membership vote.  If you have questions use the negotiation team link button on the fontanateachers.org website to email the team.  Also join in the discussion at the Fontana Teachers Association Facebook Group.  As always, you can also call the FTA office.

Thanks for your patience during these difficult days.

Pat Mazzulli, President

Fontana Teachers Association