Guilford Teachers Take Right Step With Givebacks

From the Hartford Courant -- Opinion

June 3, 2009

http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-guilford-teacher-union...

Give the town of Guilford and its teachers an A in diplomacy and good public relations.

They have led the way in showing other municipalities how to talk to one another, be flexible and work out a common agenda that benefits everyone.

Teachers have agreed to give back half of a 4 percent raise scheduled to take effect July 1, saving the town $630,000. In exchange, they will avert layoffs.

This may sound like common sense, but it took courage. Many affiliates of the same union, the Connecticut Education Association, have rejected wage freezes, furloughs and other contract concessions that would help their municipalities and save jobs.

This is foolish. Towns need help making ends meet in an economy that fell off the cliff after many teacher contracts were negotiated. A change in circumstances warrants a change of heart and of terms. Otherwise, there will be resentment.

Ask West Hartford teachers. They negotiated their contract just as the economy began its dive. They agreed to a very modest pay increase when they might have pressed for arbitration, and they gained more than a 1.25 percent over the next two years. That is less than Guilford teachers will get after their concessions.

West Hartford teachers deserve plaudits. Later, though, when the economy worsened and the town asked them to consider a wage freeze, they declined, exposing them to criticism.

Other communities with CEA affiliations reportedly are poised to follow Guilford's prudent course. But many face layoffs unless more teachers cooperate with budget-makers. They should. They needn't give much to buy a lot of good will.

Taxpayers expect public employees to do their share to ease the budgetary pain, as employees in the private sector have been forced to do. The unions have not helped their cause by being inflexible.