Teachers in Madison Schools wearing black Friday to protest pay cuts

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. (WXYZ) - Teachers in Madison District Public Schools are wearing black on Friday to protest imposed pay cuts.

Starting today, their paychecks will be cut by 10 percent.

The cuts are retroactive to the beginning of the school year.

Many teachers are upset because they voted down a proposed pay cut, but the school board voted to implement the cuts anyway.

Teachers have been working without a contract since 2009.

A state-appointed fact finder reviewed both parties' positions and issued recommendations in November. Both sides continued negotiations, but were unable to reach an agreement.

In March, the school board voted to delay a 10 percent pay cut to allow more time for negotiations.

A tentative agreement was reached a few days later between leaders of the teacher's union and the school board, which included a 7 percent pay cut, but members of the teacher's union ultimately voted against it.

On April 16th, the board decided to implement a 10 percent pay cut retroactive to the beginning of the year effective Friday, April 20th.

The school board posted a statement on its website, saying in part:    

"The District understands why the Association does not want to agree to the District's proposal.  At the same time, the District's funding from the state has been reduced, other employee groups have agreed to reductions and the District is legally prohibited from operating at a deficit.   Therefore, the Board of Education believes it has a legal and moral duty to the community to take financially prudent steps now; rather than permitting its finances to fall into deficit."

You can read more of the board's statement by clicking here .