DISTRICT AMENDS BENEFITS OFFER TEACHERS TO VOTE ON NEW CONTRACT.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Staff Writer

PALMDALE - Palmdale School District teachers will vote next month on a contract proposal that removes language about limiting health insurance payments, which union members found objectionable in previous versions.

To push forward contract talks that have been at impasse since November 2004, district negotiators removed a provision that opened the possibility that teachers would have to pay part of their health insurance premiums in 2007-08.

``We want to be able to bring everyone back to the table, to get beyond this sticking point and find a way to get together and educate everyone involved,'' said Pauline Winbush, director of certificated personnel. ``Whenever you talk about a change in benefits, it's a serious issue.''

The tentative agreement was reached Monday, averting the possibility that the issue go to fact-finding, which could have led to the board unilaterally imposing a contract on teachers. The district has more 1,000 teachers.

Teachers are scheduled to vote Feb. 15 and 16 on the three-year contract, which contains no raise and expires June 30.

``I think it was for the benefit of everyone because teachers were not going to accept anything with a cap. The last tentative agreement was voted down by a large number,'' said Simone Zulu, president of the teachers union.

Both sides acknowledged they delayed the inevitable of having to deal with rising health costs, but now they will have more time to research cost- saving alternatives.

``We are trying to look around and start educating members. We will look at different plans that can help save money as far as benefits. We do realize benefits are getting out of hand,'' Zulu said. ``This will give all of us an opportunity to look for a solution. I don't think we were given that opportunity before.''

``We are going to get together and seriously pursue cost savings for the district given the financial challenges that we face,'' Winbush said. ``We are closing this out and getting right back to the table after getting (the governor's proposed budget) and seeing if there's a way to work more collaboratively.''

Negotiations on the next contract will begin in May.

Teachers overwhelmingly voted last June to reject a proposed contract that offered no raise and said that in the 2007-08, the district would pay for health insurance coverage up to the highest rate that was offered the previous year.

Teachers wanting more coverage above that amount would have to pay out of their own pockets, choose an insurance plan that costs less, or both sides could negotiate to raise the maximum contribution.

The district has set $15,550 as the maximum it will pay annually for health insurance for nonteaching workers and management staff.

Karen Maeshiro, [phone]

karen.maeshiro(at)dailynews.com