Teachers union leaders on Tuesday walked away from contract talks with Denver Public Schools and declared an impasse after working since early April to hammer out a contract for the next school year.
Union leaders said the two sides were $13 million apart in trying to find a benefits package for 4,000 teachers.
The district is offering a 2.92 percent total compensation increase this summer. That includes a 1.4 percent cost-of-living increase, regular steps in their pay scale and an insurance allowance.
Since the 2002-03 school year, district officials contend they have given a 9.3 percent cumulative increase in benefits and salary to teachers.
“Every one of us has an interest in making sure the wages we pay our employees are competitive,” said DPS Superintendent Michael Bennet, noting that he wanted to keep talking with the union.
“They’re asking for much more than we can afford to pay.”
Teachers union representatives said Tuesday that they wanted the district to cover the 15 to 20 percent increase on health-insurance costs and give them a 4.5 percent cost-of-living increase.
Because of premium hikes, many teachers will take home less money next year.
“I’ve given my loyalty, I’ve given my life, and I get a cut in pay every year,” said Rob Gould, a special education teacher at Newlon Elementary.
Kim Ursetta, president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, said that her bargaining team walked away from the table after the district wouldn’t talk about nonsalary concerns, such as principal and program accountability, and class size.
This is the first formal bargaining session since November, when Denver voters approved a $25 million annual tax increase to fund a pay-for-performance plan. Called ProComp, the plan gives teachers raises based on how well students do on state tests, and what subjects they teach.
The base salary, however, must still be negotiated by the union.
Staff writer Allison Sherry can be reached at 303-820-1377 or asherry@denverpost.com.
