WESTLAND, Mich. - Teachers agreed to health care concessions while the school district agreed to raises and smaller class sizes in a newly ratified contact in Wayne-Westland Community Schools, The Detroit News reported.
Teachers will pay a $400 or $200 deductible for a family or individual health plan, respectively, according to The News, as well as office visit and emergency room co-pays. Class size will be reduced by one student at all levels beginning next year, and teachers will receive a 1.75 percent wage increase this year followed by 1.5 percent in each of the three remaining years of the four-year agreement, The News reported.
The contract also includes a no-strike, no-lockout provision, according to The News. A letter of reprimand will be placed in the personnel files of teachers who participated in a four-day walkout in October, Superintendent Greg Baracy told The News, but the district will not attempt to prosecute them under Michigan law making teacher strikes illegal.
SOURCE:
The Detroit News, "Wayne-Westland approves deal with teachers," Feb. 4, 2009
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Teachers strike, students sent home," Oct.6, 2008
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