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Apr 1, 2008 6:42 pm US/Eastern
Baltimore County Teachers Go Work To Rule
Reporting
Adam May
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
Thousands of Baltimore County teachers go work to rule, meaning they will do their jobs but nothing extra because most aren't getting a salary increase.
The teachers' union says there's plenty of money in the budget.
"We work longer than our seven-hour contract, we put money into bulletin boards and everything in our classrooms but we want to feel appreciated and kept comparable to other employees," said Cheryl Bost.
The county had close to a balanced budget in 2003, but a surplus ever since, nearing $200 million last year. Right now, that money goes towards capital improvements and a rainy day fund. If you took between $50 and $60 million now, the entire county workforce could get a nice raise.
"When times are flourishing and the economy is booming, parks and beautification projects are wonderful, but when times are tight, you need to invest in your workforce," Bost said.
"Basically everything they talk about is capital. Capital money is totally different," said Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith.
Smith predicts the surplus won't be around in a couple years because of the slowing economy, leaving no long-term way to fund a teacher raise.
"You get yourself into spending more money than revenues produce on an outgoing basis and then you have a structural deficit. Then you have to make tremendous cutbacks or do what Montgomery County is doing, add seven-and-a-half cents to the tax rate," Smith said.
But some arbitrators recently sided with other county employee unions, accusing the administration of making wage increases a last priority. One suggested there's plenty of extra money for all employees, including teachers.
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