TENTATIVE AGREEMENT SIGNED ON PAY REDUCTIONS FOR MIAMI-DADE SCHOOL EMPLOYEES January 28, 2002 Miami-Dade County Public Schools and a coalition of labor unions signed a tentative agreement today on an employee pay-reduction plan to meet $13 million of $81 million in budget cuts. The agreement would become effective upon ratification by the membership of each union and the School Board, which would consider the issue at its Feb. 13 meeting. The agreement provides for: a reduction in pay equivalent to two days pay for all full-time employees earning more than $20,000. Employees would take the days off as unpaid leave by June 30, 2002, the end of this school year; teachers would be required to take the days off on designated teacher planning days. two days off with pay during the 2002-2003 school year. Teachers would be permitted to take the two days off on any two days of their choice but encouraged to do so on planning days. photo by Hilda Diaz At press conference before signing tentative agreement, left to right: Pat Tornillo of United Teachers of Dade, Chuck Burdeen and Ernie Brito of DCSAA, Superintendent Merrett Stierheim and Joe Cortese of DCSMEC. the restoration of the two days pay if the unreserved/undesignated fund balance at year's end exceeds 70 percent of last year's amount. If pay is restored, the number of days off would be proportionately reduced. the exemption of employees who are participating in the school district's current retirement incentive plan and employees who may decide to retire by Feb. 22, 2002. Superintendent Merrett R. Stierheim and leaders from United Teachers of Dade; Dade County School Administrators Association; Florida State Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police; and Dade County School Maintenance Employee Committee signed the agreement in ceremonies at School Board headquarters. "I am optimistic we have found a way to make up the shortfall and preserve the quality of our students' education," Stierheim said. ### 02-AMC170/JJR Back to News Releases