Jeffco courts rule in union’s favor

A Jefferson County Court granted parts of the Jefferson County Education Associations request for an injunction that would halt the implementation of Jeffco School district’s new hire compensation plan.

Judge Christopher Zenisek’s ruling temporarily stops the implementation of the initial salary payment schedule for educators hired into the district on or after May 1. The schedule, part of the larger compensation plan approved by the board on Sept. 4, approves salary increases for some educators –; paying them thousands more than some of the district’s veteran teachers.

“Today is a victory for hard working Jeffco teachers who have sacrificed our own pay through pay freezes and reductions to help the school district weather the recession,” said JCEA President, John Ford. “To offer thousands of dollars more to new teachers while neglecting to honor your promises to your current teaching staff is inexcusable.”

However, educators hired before May 1, which account for 60 of the district’s 300 vacancies, may be paid what was offered. It remains uncertain what salaries teachers with advanced degrees, hired after the May 1 date, would receive.

“We are pleased that the court recognized the authority of the school board to adopt and implement a compensation plan that rewards effective teachers, and that the court ruled favorably on the District’s efforts to hire new employees pursuant to the Board’s plan,” said Jeffco Public Schools Spokesperson, Lisa Pinto.

Zenisek’s ruling also requires a trial to be set within one calendar year to address JCEA’s full lawsuit.

In 2011, Jeffco teachers took a three percent pay cut and salary freeze rather than see budget cuts to help retain programming and services for students during the recession. Currently in the middle of negotiations, the two parties are working together to develop a new negotiated agreement, which must take the injunction into consideration.

“Moving forward, the issue of competitive salaries for current employees and new hires shifts from the courtroom to the bargaining table where it belongs, and we’re looking forward to productive discussions with the JCEA about how to maintain Jeffco’s position in the marketplace,” Pinto said. “We expect the JCEA to be a willing partner in the effort to recruit and retain the very best teachers for our students. “

The injunction is part of the association’s larger suit against the district for alleged repeated wage, benefit and condition violations of the two’s 2011 negotiated agreement. According to the lawsuit, JCEA is requesting that the courts grant several orders stating the district violated their agreement and duty to bargain in good faith, as well as this injunction, an order requiring the district to pay for any attorney fees and costs incurred and any other legal and equitable relief the court finds applicable.

Ford said, for the association, it’s about appreciating the work teachers do.

“We, as educators in Jeffco, value our students and community, and are asking the district to value us and the sacrifices that we have all made out of our dedication to our neighborhood schools and our students.”