American Federation of Teachers President Glen Smith wants senators to say no during hearings today, Thursday, to increases in teachers' insurance and retirement contributions, changes in Act 4440 and elimination of five holidays.
The issues are all part of the governor's memorandum of understanding with the Interior Department.
Smith has asked Sen. Roosevelt David to block the three initiatives, saying they place an additional load on the overburdened backs of government workers. He noted that teachers have not had salary increases for five years, and were leaving the territory to find employment elsewhere because of the low salaries.
St. Thomas Source has learned, meanwhile, that Senators have a plan to increase property assessments by 5 percent. The extra money would go to the Education Department, specifically to raise the salaries of beginning teachers.
Sen. Lorraine Berry was asked about the plan during a meeting of the League of Women Voters earlier this month, but she would say only that more would be revealed during the budget hearings.
