Blair teachers wear red stickers in protest for better contract negotiations in MCPS

On Tuesday, Jan. 10, teachers around Blair wore red stickers in acts of protests against certain articles in the Montgomery County Education Association’s (MCEA) current contract with the MCPS Board of Education (BoE), anticipating a bargaining session between the two parties on Jan. 12. 

The MCEA created stickers that read, “Our working conditions are our students’ learning conditions.” Blair union representatives gave these stickers out to teachers and students in the morning for them to wear in protest.  

MCEA on door

Photo: A MCEA sticker posted on a classroom door.

A MCEA sticker posted on a classroom door. Photo courtesy of Katie Phung.

For the past several months, many MCPS teachers have continued to have complaints regarding many of the BoE’s attitudes and lack of action towards several complaints circling within schools. Many teachers have requested contract negotiations to deal with issues such as teacher shortages, salary, budget, days off and more.  

On Jan. 12, several teachers came together to watch the latest bargaining session between the MCPS board and the MCEA in Rockville. However, only union members and MCPS representatives could stay for the actual bargaining. 

The teacher's union bargained for several proposals. These proposals include an expansion of the teacher tuition reimbursement program, updates to the employee grievance process, a smaller cap on consulting teachers’ caseloads, compensatory time for educators to attend professional development opportunities and supplies for teachers and students that provide for hygiene, food and more. 

The next bargaining session between the MCEA and MCPS will occur in Rockville on Jan. 24 at 5 p.m.