The Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) are offering sharply different accounts of proposals made during ongoing contract negotiations, particularly regarding employee wage increases, reductions in force and healthcare benefits.
In an email sent to members, MCEA said it had proposed 3.25% cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) annually for three years approximately five months ago and alleged that MCPS responded during negotiations with “0% COLA and 0 steps over the next three years.” The union also accused MCPS of making “threats” regarding healthcare benefits and potential reductions in force.
MCEA encouraged members to attend an open bargaining session at 45 W Gude Dr. at 5:30pm, describing MCPS’ proposal as “disrespectful, demeaning, and unacceptable.” MCEA represents approximately 14,000 educators, and its bargaining process allows dues-paying members to attend open bargaining sessions as observers.
The MoCoShow reached out to MCPS regarding the union’s claims, and the school system disputed several elements of MCEA’s characterization. Regarding potential reductions in force, MCPS said, “We are not threatening reductions in force. We remain fully committed to good-faith negotiations that prioritize student needs while maintaining strict financial responsibility. At the same time, our fiscal crisis is real.”
MCPS also denied that it threatened to eliminate employees’ health insurance. “Claims that health insurance will be taken away are false,” MCPS said. “Time and time again, we have said that we are facing a structural deficit in our benefits funds that needs to be addressed, but we have not threatened to strip coverage from employees.”
MCPS additionally disputed MCEA’s description of its wage proposal. “These claims are inaccurate. While we didn’t accept their initial wage proposal, MCPS has not proposed a 0% wage increase for the next three years.”
The two sides are negotiating the agreement that will follow the current 2023-2027 collective bargaining agreement. MCEA identifies the ongoing negotiations as FY28 collective bargaining. Under the current agreement, MCEA employees received a 3.25% COLA effective July 1, 2025, followed by another 3.25% COLA effective July 1, 2026.
The disagreement comes as negotiations continue, with MCEA calling on members to attend the upcoming open bargaining session.
