Compensation
The big topic with most unions is compensation. Some of the numbers being shared by our pro union colleagues with regard to compensation are misleading when comparing our district to other like districts. At a minimum they are being selective and not telling the full story. We have done our research and provided links to all the places we found our information. Transparency is key, especially when deciding if a fundamental change to our school district is warranted. Especially, if that change will negatively impact the relationship with our community, colleagues and students. There are many more items to consider than a paycheck and that information is here for you to consider.
“A FUSD teacher makes on average $10,000-$15,000 more than a Clovis Unified teacher”
The Reality is the average CUSD salary is 73,853 and FUSD is 81,653 that is a difference of 7,800. When comparing salaries apples to apples we do make less but that does not tell the whole story. We attached the salary schedules for neighboring districts for you to look at and did a monthly take home comparison that takes into account benefits and union dues. The margin in take home pay is minimal when considering the adversarial and antagonistic changes a union would bring to our culture.
Not to mention the discrepancy between the districts and funding we receive from the government.
The reality is the district could pay us more but that money will come from somewhere. We have no copay at Micare which is essentially an urgent care dedicated to Clovis teachers. Minimal waits, early labs and no coinsurance are just a few of the benefits. Union districts have no specific urgent care for unionized employees. Their co-pays are similar to ours but the big difference is the 10-30 percent of coinsurance. A major medical event, a birth or surgery for example, becomes a significant out of pocket expense. Union districts also must add in vision and dental to their plans drastically changing their price per month. Not to mention how would more pay for teachers affect our students experience? Paying each teacher and extra 10,000-15,000 a year would equal between 18.5- 27.75 million dollars a year.
“The difference between health benefits is negligible and not a reason the district cant pay us more”
“Our superintendent ranks 3 out of 22 of like districts for salary.”
What is a like district? Does that mean funding or size? Our current superintendent has not taken a pay raise making her the lowest paid female superintendent we have had. We compared districts with over 25,000 students and our superintendent is 30th out of 30.
Clovis ranks 58th in superintendent salary of the largest 58 districts in state. #59 is Madera with 19K students.
Our superintendents pay, plain and simple is not an issue that should be considered when you see these comparisons.
What a Union will do to our District
It is all about the contract. Engaging in collective bargaining may result in a larger paycheck but that’s not all that may change. Our benefits will change and possibly the loss of our miCare center. Look at the health benefits comparison, is it worth a few hundred dollars a month to give up our health benefits? Stipends may change for athletics, special programs or educational experiences.
As a teacher you have more autonomy than you realize not having a union. With a union, it’s all for one and one for all. Whatever the small group “representing us” fights for during bargaining is what we all get. There are many teachers that wanted to come back to school, would a union fight for that? Over half of our certificated teachers are elementary teachers. How can a union effectively represent both elementary and secondary voices?
How will the community receive this move to unionize? It will put us at odds with the very people who pay our salaries. This will fundamentally change the fabric that not only our district was built on but Clovis as a whole.
As long as your values and beliefs align with the union you will be protected. If they do not, you will no longer receive the protection you pay for. What will you do when you are asked to go on strike for a small pay increase? How long will you put your families at risk of not bringing home a paycheck? How long are you willing to let your students be with a substitute?
The era of the COVID-19 pandemic is a black swan event. No district handled this perfectly. Let’s remember back in 2008, when teachers in other districts were getting pink slips, Clovis Unified found a way to keep everyone!
You do not have to join the union. Faculty Senate will remain as our representative body.
Where does your money go?
0%
Local Union
0%
State Union
0%