Birmingham Public Schools took two more significant steps toward shoring up the 2010-2011 budget, agreeing to contracts with building administrators and maintenance supervisors.
And if the moves are any indication of what could lie ahead, the Birmingham Education Association – the teachers’ union and district’s largest employee bloc – may asked to make concessions when they arrive to the bargaining table later this winter.
Administrators agreed to a 4 percent reduction in salary for all administrators except department heads, who will see a 2 percent salary reduction and a three day extended work year in 2010-11.
The deal between the district and the Association of Birmingham School Administrators and Supervisory Personnel (ABSASP) was ratified February 1.
“Believe me no one in my association wanted to take any cut, but we aren’t going to be naïve to the situation this district is facing,” ABSASP President Michael Lonze said.
District Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Jon Dean said budget constraints impacted the agreement
“Our administrators recognize the depth of our financial situation and they were very understanding that all employees need to participate and share in that sacrifice,” Dean said.
Dean said the agreement made sense for both sides.
“We were able to save the district some money by extending their work year,” said Dean. “The 2 percent pay reduction from a matrix perspective of the employees they supervise and employees that supervise them fit with what would be fair and appropriate.”
Meanwhile, BEA Vice President Scott Craig believes both sides could have done more to ease the district’s financial burden.
“They did not cut very many administrative positions,” Craig said. “We think there are some positions that should still be looked at and could be cut.”
Supporters of the deal note the salary reductions will not be limited to the 2010-11 school year. These pay reductions are permanent.
“With a permanent percent pay reduction right off the top, there are no gimmicks,” said BPS Board of Education President Lori Soifer. “This is structural change for us.”
With salary cuts from ABSASP, the district was able to save approximately $228,534. With 45 union members in the association, this adds up to $5,066 per employee.
The district also announced the ratification of a two-year agreement with the maintenance supervisors’ union, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFCSME) Local 1917. The agreement includes a 0% pay increase for union members for the current school year and a 4% pay reduction in 2010-11.
“Both of those groups recognize that the district has a structural financial problem and both groups were willing to work towards addressing that problem,” said Dean.
AFSCME 1917 was the only union that elected not to bargain.
The Union representing the district maintenance staff, AFSCME 1860 has signed a tentative agreement with BPS but cannot be ratified for at least another week.
“[AFSCME 1860] has a rule in their bylaws that they have to wait two weeks after signing a tentative agreement to hold a meeting for their people to vote the decision up or down,” said Dean.
Because AFSCME has yet to ratify the agreement, Dean could not release the details of the contract, but he predicts that the group will vote next week.
“If things go according to plan, the board will consider approving that agreement at the March school board meeting.”
Meanwhile, the BEA – which has yet to start the formal bargaining process – sees a clear message in both contracts.
“I think the central administration and the Board are clearly trying to pressure the BEA to make concessions,” Craig said. “There was a lot of pressure on the [administrators] and their association to make this agreement, in part because central administration had already voluntarily agreed to take a 4% cut.”
