Wichita teacher contract negotiations stall

Representatives for the Wichita school district and the teachers union have reached an impasse in negotiations over a new contract.

In an e-mail sent Friday to staff members detailing the status of negotiations, superintendent John Allison wrote that the United Teachers of Wichita is seeking a financial package that exceeds the district’s offer by $1 million.

“We will work through the mediation phase of the impasse process in order to reach resolution with UTW as soon as possible,” Allison said in the e-mail.

A federal mediator will meet with the negotiating teams on Sept. 13, according to a statement released by the union.

“The good news is I think we’re pretty close,” said Steve Wentz, president of the teachers union, which represents about 4,200 certified employees. “I don’t think anything we’ve asked for is onerous.”

A statement issued by the union listed four “sticking points,” among them that the employee raise be a 1 percent, one-time lump sum payment.

“We are wanting that money to be permanent,” the union statement said.

The union has proposed using that money to eliminate or reduce health insurance premiums and unfreeze longevity on the salary scale.

The union also wants health insurance premium amounts to be in the contract so that the board can’t raise the premium “to whatever amount they choose without having to negotiate it,” the statement said.

The district reached a tentative agreement with the Service Employees International Union on the 1 percent, one-time lump sum payment, as well as other contract features:

▪ One step on the salary schedule

▪ Longevity frozen

▪ Career ladder movement for those eligible

▪ Increase of $100 per month for each eligible employee into the health plan reserve, from $590 to $690

An employee group referred to as K-Z and school administrators have agreed to those terms, Allison’s statement said.

Members of the service employees union will vote on the tentative agreements on Wednesday. All packages agreed upon will be part of the agenda for the school board’s meeting on Sept. 12.

This story was originally published September 3, 2016 at 4:41 PM with the headline "Wichita teacher contract negotiations stall."