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East Moline schools, union reach contract accord
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EAST MOLINE -- A collective bargaining agreement with the East Moline Education Association was approved by school board members on Wednesday. District teachers had worked without a contract for nine months, using the terms of an expired one-year agreement, said superintendent Kristin Humphries. The board quietly and unanimously passed the new four-year agreement after a closed session. Absent were the crowds of angry teachers who wore red "EMEA Unity" T-shirts to the past two school board meetings. The new pact gives teachers step raises based on longevity, retroactive to the start of the school year. The previous one-year contract had removed those raises. Teachers will receive two longevity step increases in the 2013-14 school year, followed by single longevity step raises in each of the next two years. In return, EMEA members lose the district's 3.25 percent contribution on their behalf to the Teachers' Retirement System. Mr. Humphries also said there will be no other percentage raises. "It came down to cooperation and being able to come together," he said. "We wanted a win-win situation and this really works for both sides." He said the four-year contract lets the district plan better for long-term goals. EMEA co-president Steve Miller said the union approved the agreement with exactly a two-thirds majority, although a simple majority of 50 percent plus one was all that was needed. "I think, in the end, the board and the EMEA really came together to do what was best for the board, the district, the union, the taxpayers, and most of all, the students," he said. "It's always about the students; that's what we push for." EMEA co-president Laura Kalman said she wasn't shocked union members didn't approve the agreement last month. Teachers felt they weren't being justly compensated, she said. "You have to negotiate for the greater good," said Ms. Kalman. "It was a learning experience for both sides. Ultimately you have to cut through everybody's agenda to find what's best for the students, teachers and the board." The board on Wednesday also approved a 2.7 percent increase for administrators -- excluding Mr. Humphries -- and all groups not covered by the EMEA agreement, effective on July 1, 2012. 
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Today is Friday, May 24, the 144th day of 2013. There are 221 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: A military escort will be at the square at 9 a.m. tomorrow forthe funeral of Lieut. Joseph Eaton. The county judge is absent in Chicago, which willaccount for his not being in the procession.
1888 -- 125 years ago: Rock Island's City Council last night appropriated $95,000 forexpenses for the 1888 and 1889 fiscal year.
1913 -- 100 years ago: Mrs. F.W. Reimers last night was re-elected president of the RockIsland Musical Club at a meeting in the New Harper Hotel.
1938 -- 75 years ago: Seven members of Boy Scout Troop 21 got their Eagle badges lastnight. They were Ralph Hurt, Robert Nelson, Howard Schersten, Cecil Nelson, RobertFryxell, Clarence Stone and Rollin Hurt.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Mayor Morris Muhleman has resorted to a form letter in an effort toanswer objections to the wheel tax increase. "It was my hope that I could, in some way,restore the faith of the citizens in our city. In order to do this I knew I must face the factthat I would become very unpopular."All they are trying to do is protect the citizensproperty and build their town.
1988 -- 25 years ago: RICCA, the Rock Island County Council on Addictions, inconjunction with the Quad City Downs, will hold its annual "Night at the Races" June 2.The benefit "Night at the Races" will raise funds locally to assist in maintaining the twohalfway houses, New Hope Lodge (for women) and Beacon House (for men).
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