L-L teachers union’s goal: 3%-4% raises

LEHMAN TWP. – The Lake-Lehman teachers union has proposed a seven-year contract with raises of 3 percent the first two years, 3.25, 3.5 and 3.75 percent the next three, and 4 percent the last two.

The offer and a letter from lead negotiator John Holland were sent to District Superintendent James McGovern, Solicitor Charles Coslett and apparently several board members. The Times Leader obtained a copy anonymously late Tuesday, and Coslett confirmed it was authentic.

Coslett also criticized Holland for sending copies of the offer to McGovern and board members. “I take offense that it was not sent only to me. He knows that when a client is represented by council you cannot communicate with the client, only with the attorney.”

Coslett also called it “ironic” that Holland had committed this breach of “professional conduct” when the union has repeatedly criticized the board for releasing terms of its offer to the public.

The union offer would run from the date the last contract expired – August 2006 – through the 2012-13 school year. It does not offer any changes in health insurance coverage, a key sticking point. The board has dropped a demand that teachers pay part of their health insurance premiums, asking instead that the teachers agree to larger deductibles and co-payments for prescriptions and medical fees.

In his letter, Holland repeats the union contention that membership in the Northeast Pennsylvania School District Health Trust, a consortium formed to lower insurance costs, has saved the district more than $800,000 in the past three years because the Trust has given member districts one month without premium payments each year. Coslett countered that those savings only show the Trust was over-billing, and noted that the Trust is raising premiums 3.6 percent next year.

Holland’s letter rebuts a concern by the district regarding a possible sharp increase in the amount the district will have to pay toward the teacher employee retirement system. The state-run pension fund has lost about $16 billion this year due to the economic downturn, and many boards fear the state will make up the money by demanding steep increases in payments from districts.

Holland notes the current contribution rate is set for modest increases during the life of the proposed contract. Coslett countered that the state can change the rate schedule on short notice.

Holland asks the board to vote on the new offer by Dec. 17. Coslett said the board has a meeting slated for two days earlier, but that he doubts “the board will meet his self-imposed deadline.”