Some schools employ retired teachers for vacant positions that are difficult to fill. Even though these rehired retirees are doing work covered by the teacher contract, the school district unilaterally decided they were "consultants" and did not pay them at the negotiated salary rates. Instead, MPS paid them at the salary rates they were earning at the time they retired.
The MTEA filed a group grievance early in 2005. The grievance was scheduled for an arbitration hearing on May 10, 2007. At the hearing, the district acknowledged it had violated the contract. MPS agreed to the remedy our union sought - full retroactive pay (reflecting all raises) from December of 2004 through June of 2007.
The total amount of back pay was $426,881.60. The average amount paid to the 132 affected teachers on August 24 was $3,234. One of the rehired retirees received $23,700.
If you suspect your contract rights are being violated, talk to your school's Building Representative or contact an MTEA staff member at 414-259-1990.