NEGOTIATIONS
The negotiating teams from the Board and TAAAC met yesterday (July 12) in what was expected to be the final meeting prior to a filing to the Maryland Public School Labor Relations Board for a declaration of impasse. Instead, the parties came within striking distance of a tentative agreement. There are still some details to work through, but it appears likely that we will be putting out a tentative agreement for a ratification vote relatively soon. The specific terms and conditions of the potential agreement cannot be released until those final details are settled.
It is expected that we will complete the settlement by August 23, and we will be putting the agreement out for the customary straw ballot for acceptance or rejection in late August or early September.
As most readers are aware, these negotiations were conducted only on limited reopeners for the 2012-13 school year, which is the fourth and final year of a four-year agreement. The entire Agreement expires on June 30, 2013. With that expiration on the horizon, full book negotiations will begin by October 5, 2012, only a few weeks after the anticipated ratification vote referenced above.
Updates will continue as progress is made.