File photo
WPRO News and the Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – The Providence Teachers Union has rejected a three-year contract proposal that would have eliminated a job security clause and allowed management to create a new compensation system providing extra pay for more responsibilities.
The Providence Journal reports that union president Maribeth Calabro says the 1,900-member union voted 611-182 on Monday to turn down the deal.
Superintendent Susan Lusi said she was surprised the union chose to work without a contract instead of accepting a proposal that would have given teachers increased leadership opportunities.
She says she’s disappointed and that the contract would have continued the collaborative work between the district and union.
Mayor Angel Taveras called the contract proposal “fair and reasonable.”
Calabro accused Taveras of misrepresentations.
The mayor said the union leadership was trying to deflect responsibility for the contract’s rejection.
