We, the undersigned, urge the Madison Metropolitan School Board to pass a 2.44% cost-of-living increase for ALL MMSD employees.

The Bargaining Teams and MMSD Administration have reached an impasse. We are writing to the Madison Metropolitan School Board to urge them to provide a 2.44% cost-of-living increase for ALL MMSD employees. 

Act 10 limits severely limits collective bargaining for most public employees in Wisconsin, allowing for collective bargaining over one issue only- base-wage increases-and further restricts such increases to no more than the cost-of-living (without going to referendum for greater authority). This year’s cost-of-living increase for contracts commencing July 1, 2019 has been determined to be 2.44%.

MTI and its partner unions are seeking a cost-of-living (2.44%) base wage increase for all employees. The MMSD Board of Education has offered employees a 2.32% increase (less than cost-of-living).

Cost-of-living increases should be a minimal expectation for District employees and the District needs to provide such increases to maintain competitive pay and attract and retain a high-quality work force.

The base-wage increase is the only pay increase that increases the salary schedule and provides a pay increase to all employees. Over 1,000 District employees, including many of our lowest paid employees, will only receive a base-wage increase in 2019-20.

We are counting on the Madison Metropolitan School Board to ensure our students continue to receive a high quality education from qualified, committed, and caring staff.

We need your leadership now to bring this labor dispute to closure before the commencement of the school year.

Pass a 2.44% cost-of-living increase for our students, our community, and our staff.