The QEO

On Monday, September 20th, over 100 teachers and their supporters picketed before a school board meeting protesting the QEO (qualified economic offer). One of the biggest issues about the QEO is that teachers only have to be given a 3.4% raise, which is usually the max given out each year. That raise more often than not turns into a pay cut as cost of living and health care increases more rapidly, and the QEO remains at a steady percentage every year. Protesters said that the QEO is a main reason why the school board doesn't negotiate with the teachers union. They don't have to. Also, teachers here aren't allowed to go on strike, so the board has no reason to fear them. http://www.weac.org/BARGAIN/2004-05/sept04/newholstein.htm