NMFT BARGAINING UPDATE
■ District Claim: “NMUSD has provided 20.6% in raises over 4 years.”
➡True, but misleading. The state funded COLA was 20.92% during that time period. Other districts gave the full COLA salary increases and have similar health benefits. NMUSD’s 2% salary increase offer this year is barely above inflation over 5 years!
■ District Claim: “NMUSD is doing its best.”
➡Not true. As a community funded District, NMUSD receives its revenue from local property taxes from some of the wealthiest communities—41% general fund increases over five years. They can do better.
■ District Claim: “We’re top-paid teachers.”
➡NMFT fought hard for that. Before last year’s 7% rise, we ranked 5th in OC. Without a fair raise, we risk sliding backward. We also work more days than any OC district!
■ District Claim: “Total compensation = 3.65%.”
➡Math doesn’t add up. NMUSD budgeted for 3.46% for certificated salaries and 2.8% benefits. With half a billion-dollar budget, they can offer more.
■ District Claim: “No increase to most health plan rates.”
➡NMUSD is passing health cost increases to their employees—using it as leverage for a low salary offer. NMFT will fight to get money back and stop this tactic.
■ District Claim: “2% keeps us in the top 25%.”
➡Not good enough. NMUSD should aim higher than mediocrity. We need to remain competitive, not fall behind state funded school districts.
■District Claim: “We made big gains.”
➡Many proposed “wins” (staff meeting time reduction, SCC prep time, SAI release days, evaluation committee) were tied to the 2% salary deal. Since NMFT did not accept the 2% offer, nothing is finalized—everything goes back to the table in mediation.
■District Claim: “Mutually Agreed on an impasse.”
➡The district declared an impasse when NMFT rejected their last, best and final salary offer of 2%. We do not believe a 2% reflects your value. We will agree to certify the parties are indeed at a bargaining impasse to PERB (Public Employment Relations Board).
NMFT’s Position:
We’ll support an agreement only if it includes the currently agreed upon CBA enhancements and:
- A retroactive employer healthcare contribution
- A salary increases higher than 2%
YOU CAN’T EDUCATE WITHOUT EDUCATORS
Help us show NMUSD that YOU are the most valuable resource in our schools.
We’re worth more than 2%!
We are Stronger Together!
NMFT 2025 Negotiations Team
Tamara Fairbanks, NMFT Treasurer
Tanya Golden, NMFT Executive Director
Quang Nguyen, NMFT Site Representative/Election Committee
Kirby Piazza, NMFT Site Representative/Election Committee Chair
Rhonda Reid, NMFT President/CFT & OCLF Vice President
Anthony Solis, Chief Negotiator/CFT Field Representative
Jeff Vonnahme, NMFT Site Representative