Teachers in Traverse City have begun an advertising campaign over their union contract. The Traverse City Education Association hopes to sway public support, as negotiations continue with Traverse City Area Public Schools.
The union recently paid for a full page ad in the Traverse City Record-Eagle (pictured right). This week, those listening to a couple of select commercial radio stations could hear the voice of association President Jeff Leonhardt.
“The Traverse City teachers are simply asking to maintain the same piece of the pie they have historically had,” he says in the ad.
Leonhardt says teachers want their contract to remain at 58 percent of TCAPS’ total budget. They say that's fair to both the district and teachers during difficult budget cycles.
Teachers are seeking a four percent pay raise, both this year and next, according to information the district opened to the public.
TCAPS Human Resources Director Chris Davis says the schools can’t afford the four-percent raise on top of annual “step” increases that have already been paid. Those are increases based on years of service and education level.
“Traverse City Area Public Schools needs a contract that’s fiscally responsible with the limited resources that are coming from the state,” says Davis.
TCAPS officials have offered to pay “step” increases, but with no overall raise in the pay scale.
The union has spent a total of $2,175 dollars on the ad campaign. The bills are being paid by donations.
TCAPS is operating without a structural deficit for the first time in a decade.
Teachers have been without a contract since last August. Some teachers picketed last May but the union has chosen to say little about details of closed-door negotiations.