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Teachers Union Urges District Back To Table

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By RONNIE BLAIR, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 18, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - Teachers in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties know or have an idea of what kind of raises they're getting, but this year's salary schedule remains a mystery for teachers and other school workers in Pasco.

Contract negotiations between the school district and United School Employees of Pasco stalled as the two sides waited to see what the Legislature would do with school funding.

Union President Lynne Webb told the Pasco County School Board on Tuesday evening that she hopes negotiations are about to get back on track, noting Hillsborough and Pinellas have reached settlements.

'The minute Pinellas settled, our phones rang,' Webb said. 'People are very anxious for us to get back to the table.'

Right now, school employees are being paid based on last year's salaries. Webb said she's hopeful negotiations will resume within two or three weeks.

Hillsborough teachers are getting raises that average 8 percent, but their schedules were changed so that they work more hours.

Other school employees in Hillsborough, such as bus drivers, custodians and cafeteria workers, are getting raises that average 6 percent.

Pinellas' tentative agreement still must be ratified by employees and approved by the school board.

The average teacher increase in Pinellas is projected at 4.85 percent, and the average for school support personnel would be 4 percent.

Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at (813) 948-4218 or rblair@tampatrib.com.

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