The merit-pay test:
"With Election Day behind him, Mayor Bloomberg is politically free to drive a much tougher bargain in negotiations on the city's teacher-union contract than he did four years ago.
The current contract expired Oct. 31, and City Hall has already warned that it won't feel bound by the 'pattern' of recent municipal-labor deals, which saw pay hikes of 4 percent. With state and city finances deteriorating by the day, salary raises should be offset by gains elsewhere in the contract, the Citizens Budget Commission recommends.
In tight economic times, real reforms become a must. A 'go along to get along' contract can't be justified."
"With Election Day behind him, Mayor Bloomberg is politically free to drive a much tougher bargain in negotiations on the city's teacher-union contract than he did four years ago.
The current contract expired Oct. 31, and City Hall has already warned that it won't feel bound by the 'pattern' of recent municipal-labor deals, which saw pay hikes of 4 percent. With state and city finances deteriorating by the day, salary raises should be offset by gains elsewhere in the contract, the Citizens Budget Commission recommends.
In tight economic times, real reforms become a must. A 'go along to get along' contract can't be justified."