Pacific Grove Unified School District Teachers picket for higher pay
For months, the
“We’re just looking for something fair, and right now we don’t feel like that’s what we’re getting,” said McCarty. “So many teachers can’t afford day care, braces, all the things we need for our children, and some are even struggling to afford basic necessities like food because it is just so crazy expensive.”
Of the expenses
Take
“Some might think we’re making a real nice paycheck, but when you look at how much is being taken out for health insurance, it’s tough,” said Bloomer. “And with premiums going up this year, it’s going to be even more.”
The high rate for health insurance has left teachers frustrated, especially those like Bloomer and her husband whose only option for benefits is through the district, as well as single-income household families
where spouses cannot provide alternative coverage. This is the case for
“I’m very sad about it, I mean I’ve put my heart and soul into this district,” said Hiserman, who started her teaching career at Pacific Grove Unified 36 years ago. “I’m disappointed.”
While disheartened for herself, Hiserman explained her disappointment is also rooted in the impact costly health insurance has had on new teachers, who are driven away by the expense of benefits, she said.
“It’s discouraging because I love this district more than anything, and I want us to be able to attract good teachers,” Hiserman continued. “We have to do something because it’s just too much the way it is right now.”
Pacific Grove Unified Superintendent
When negotiating pay increases, Pacific Grove Unified typically offers a total compensation value that bargaining units can then decide for themselves what amount is put toward benefits versus salary.
“Say the board offered a 3% compensation, and bargaining units decide all of that will go towards health and welfare,” he said. “That would cover a lot of health costs, but there wouldn’t be a matching salary increase.”
Per the Pacific Grove Teachers Association’s most recent contract for 2019-21, the district provides each certificated employee enrolled in district medical, dental and vision plans an allowance of
The difference in where compensation goes lies in the impact on pension, as salary increases affect the formula for retirement funds but changes to insurance coverage do not. In years past, bargaining units at Pacific Grove Unified have favored bumps in salary, leaving less of their health insurance covered by the district, Porras said.
What teachers are asking for now is an increase in salary that is enough to offset that high cost of health insurance. In recent years, raises have hovered around 2-3%, increasing by 3.2% for the 2018-19 school year, 2.21% for 2019-20, and 3% for 2020-21.
Yet this time around, teachers are asking for a bump of at least 5.9%, based on the federal cost-of-living adjustment for 2022.
“We can’t afford to live here if we don’t have (a cost-of-living adjustment),” said McCarty, who had to move away from
Porras assured that regional costs are “always considered” when determining compensation, but the district can only offer what will allow it to remain “fiscally solvent.” As a basic aid district, Pacific Grove Unified primarily relies on property tax revenue to determine how flexible it can be in negotiations.
Discussions going forward will hinge on finding a middle ground between district limits and teachers’ needs. Porras said he is confident an amicable agreement can be reached, noting it was still early in the negotiations process for the district.
Meanwhile, teachers planned to continue picketing through Thursday, gathering outside the Pacific Grove Unified district office ahead of the district’s regular board meeting Thursday night.
“Teachers are tired of not being recognized for how much we do, especially after the last two years,” said McCarty. “We need a raise more than we need praise. We appreciate people telling us how well we’re doing, but we need them to show us, and we’re tired of having to fight.”
Being sick changed my health care views
Being sick changed my health care views
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