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Laboy says teachers' union in crisis
"It shows a crisis in the teacher's union," Laboy said in an interview with The Eagle-Tribune. "I've never seen a union president promise a vote and not getting it." Laboy's comment comes in the wake of an overwhelming vote by the teacher's union last Wednesday against a three-year contract proposal. Union President Frank McLaughlin last week blamed the vote on teachers' anger over a glowing job evaluation the School Committee gave Laboy the night before. McLaughlin noted that 98 percent of the union members took a vote of no confidence against Laboy last March and that Laboy has been getting 8 percent and 5 percent pay raises while teachers are being offered 2 and 3 percent raises. "The ball is on their court," Laboy countered, addin g that the no vote on the contract is "a vote of no confidence toward the union president who cannot deliver the contract. "It's absolutely appalling. We've been at the table since March and there's always a give and take. We would have approved it and it would have been a nice Christmas present for them," Laboy said. "I have a deep sense of appreciation for the work our teachers have done. It's their effort that gets us the type of results that we have," Laboy said. But, McLaughlin yesterday said union members will attend Thursday's School Committee meeting to "demonstrate it's his (Laboy's) leadership, not ours," that is causing the failure to agree on a contract. "Teachers want a fair contract," McLaughlin said. "What's good for children is good for the teachers and we want to be treated fairly." In his letter to the membership, McLaughlin said "it is important that we not let our needs go unheard while an underperforming superintendent is rewarded for our hard work." In its job evaluation last week, the School Committee praised Laboy especially for his skills in general management, budget management and professional development. The next day, about two-thirds of the more than 600 teachers who voted, rejected the contract proposal. McLaughlin said teachers were livid after reading about Laboy's evaluation the day before the contract vote. "I thought I had a better than even chance going into that meeting" that the contract would be approved, said McLaughlin, a social studies teacher and union president for five years. "I do know a lot of people came down and were upset." The contract proposal offered pay increases of 2 percent, 3 percent and 3 percent, respectively over the three years , with special compensation for a master's degree. Lawrence teachers have been without a contract since Aug. 31. "I personally have to give him an 'incomplete' for his relationship with the teachers," McLaughlin said yesterday of Laboy. "In many ways, it did not have to come to this." McLaughlin said he "can't close the door" on future contract negotiations. Laboy also defended himself against accusations by some that he is a "dictator." "If I want to be a dictator, I'd live in Russia," Laboy said. "I don't go around terrorizing anyone and I don 't think teachers are afraid to talk to me. " Laboy, who has been superintendent for more than seven years, is under contract through mid-2009, at an annual salary of $189,000 a year. Laboy said he is proud of the increased MCAS scores among students and the fact that more students are graduating from the high school. Laboy also wanted to dispel talk that he only hires friends and relatives instead of qualified teachers. "I came from New York, so I don't have an aunt, cousin, third or fourth cousin that lives in this area that I could hire. We rely on credentials and licenses to hire people." In addition, Laboy said there is no truth to a rumor that is the godfather of School Committee member Patricia Sanchez-Reyes' baby. "I'm not the godfather. I'm happy that they had a beautiful baby, but I never baptized him," Laboy said. "If they had asked me to, I've would have been honored, but I wasn't." |
