NFT Presents a New Contract Proposal
The new contract proposal includes member healthcare contributions and "significant savings to the school district,"as stated in a press release.
Tuesday evening, Neshaminy Federation of Teachers President Louise Boyd presented a new contract proposal to the school district; its third counter proposal to the district during the more than three years of unsettled contract negotiations.
The contract presented is highlighted by a duration of six years, from July 1, 2008 to July 1, 2014.
In terms of salary, effective July 1, 2011 all certified staff will be placed "appropriately" on the salary matrix, based on years of service and education, including those earned since July 1, 2008, according to a press release issued by the NFT. Salary will increase by 1 percent from 2008-2009, 1 percent from 2009-2010, 1 percent from 2010-2011, 3 percent from 2011-2012, 3 percent from 2012-2013 and 3.5 percent from 2013-2014. All back pay will be made in equal quarterly installments over two years.
Teachers will utilize the health care base plan personal choice 15.
According to Boyd, health care contributions were calculated based on the idea of 8 percent of what teachers are paying toward their current health plan.
The NFT agreed to eliminate the "single source" prescription plan and to sign-off on the prescription self-insured transition, according to the press release. All other provisions have remained unchanged from the NFT's counter offer made in August 2010.
"I believe that the professionals of the Neshaminy need this to come to a close by the end of school year," Boyd said, noting that this contract proposal is "absolutely a step in that direction."
Though Boyd said that the NFT has had a "difficult" time getting the school board to "come to the table," she is hoping that they bring an offer of their own to the negotiation session scheduled for June 13.
In response to whether the contract proposal was crafted with the district's current budget difficulties in mind, Boyd said that "the counter offer was actually crafted specifically based on the kinds of ideas we’ve shared with the board from the beginning."
Boyd said that it "never gained any legs" due to the board's "take-it-or-leave-it" attitude.
"It is our anticipation that they are going to come to the table with a counter offer and we can start a reasonable process," Boyd said.
Tony
8:23 am on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Fire every teacher now that supports the union & hire new teachers .Tell the union to get lost. Demands are outrageous. The current teachers are mediocre at best collectively. Check their ratings in the state . Test every teacher on state level standards .. Renegotiate the retirement clause.
Michele Baranek
10:58 am on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
I totally disagree! The teachers at Neshaminy do a fantastic job! I’m so tired of all this negativity about teachers. Teaching is an honorable profession that deserves respect. These teachers haven't had a raise in over 3 years! I’m not sure of your situation, but I doubt if you would find that acceptable. I feel the current proposal is extremely fair and way past due.
former teacher
3:07 pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
"Teachers at Neshaminy do a fantastic job." I don't disagree that a number of them do a great job. Should every teacher be paid a great wage?
Do teachers deserve respect? Absolutely. Why do people interpret "we don't have any more money" as a lack of respect? Neshaminy teachers have been (and still are) the highest compensated teachers in Lower Bucks. And they want more?
Michele - do you realize that the current proposed budget is $3 million in the red? Programs are being cut (phys ed for 10th grade and foreign language in middle school) and teachers will be terminated.
Simply put, how do we meet the NFT's latest demands given the $3 million short fall? Where will the money come from?
Bucks Dad
11:28 am on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Michelle, most people have not had significant raises in the past 3 years. Most of those same people have paid increasing premiums for health care while renewing into plans with less and less coverage. Many have even switched to high-deductible plans. What do you know about the NFT's proposal that you consider fair? The 14% built-in raises? The 100% free health care? The $94,925 average salaries? The 7 hour work days? The 188.5 work days per year? The 6 personal and 10 sick days each year that roll over? The free health care after retirement? The $27,500 cash bonus at retirement? The legacy practice of longevity bonuses? The full reward for MEQ? The growing employer contributions for PSERS? The grievance process that allows them to name their own arbitrator? The inability for the employer to adjust to changing financial climates?
Michele Baranek
1:39 pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Whoa - what do you know- never has it been 100% free health care, the teachers have always had a
co-pay for their doctor's appointments etc. And 7 hour work days - I think not, teachers work way beyond the school day preparing for future lessons, correcting homework and class work etc. They also spend their own money on many of the extra materials. I'm entitled to my opinion and I’m just so tired of the teachers being bashed and misrepresented.
former teacher
3:20 pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Well, actually it has been free health care - when one considers the premium costs of almost $30,000 per coverage. The teachers of Neshaminy do not pay one dime toward their health care premiums. That is what people mean by free health care.
Again, your generalization "teachers work way beyond the school day". Perhaps you do work heroic hours. If so, I congratulate you and appreciate the extra effort. Not all teachers do this. Once the pay structure addresses the difference between great, very good, good and not so good teachers, then we can talk. As long as all teachers with similar time inservice are paid the same, we should pay teachers the 'average'.
Schools exist primarily for students. In the Neshaminy school district more and more finances are being diverted toward labor costs and student programs are being adversely impacted.
Please do not characterize my statements as 'teacher bashing'. You can characterize my statements as fiscally responsible.
Bucks Dad
9:44 am on Thursday, June 2, 2011
Michele, you obviously know very little about this situation. You don't even seem to understand how health care works, perhaps its because it's been given free to you for so many years now. Health insurance plans cost money, usually monthly premiums, that are currently provided 100% paid for by the district (it's not technically FREE, just the district pays all of it). That enables you to have co-pays of the set amount (15 in your case as a Neshaminy teacher). The premium is about $26,000 annually that allows you to have the coverage levels you have and you don't have to pay for that. THAT is free health care, it's in the CBA, it's not up for debate.
Also included in the contract is 7 hour work days. No one says they only work 7 hours. Everyone who works a job does more than the normal 8 hours for various reasons throughout their career. However, employee agreements are based upon measurable figures. For most people it's based on 40 hour work weeks, for NFT staff it's 7 hour days, 188.5 days a year. Again, that's in the contract.
This entire 3 year discussion has been about a contract. That's what the CBA is. This isn't a philosophical discussion about teachers. It's a contractual dispute and the taxpaying community, as the primary investors and exclusive consumers, are arguing for value and sustainability in this next multi-year agreement.
Neshaminy Parent
12:25 pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Bucks Dad you summed up how I've been feeling this entire time. I haven't had a raise in 3 years, we are in a recession people and pay high taxes already in the area, plus all that Bucks Dad pointed out. And these past few years with the strike, teachers are not doing their jobs to the fullest because they are being threatened by the union and other coworkers to follow their old contract, they haven't gone above and beyond for a raise, they are getting paid what they deserve right now. It should be merrit based raises. I think what the school board has proposed is beyond fair and the union lawyers should not come back with a counter and just say THANK YOU. Enough is enough. The kids are suffering more than the teacher's wallets.
former teacher
5:19 pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
With over half of the 675 teachers making around $95,000 per year plus free health care, etc - I wouldn't categorize that as 'suffering' at all. If so, we would all like to get some of that. And before any one says that we are just jealous - please understand - the NFT can ask for anything they want - but if they want taxpayers to fund it, well, it just isn't going to happen. The issue isn't them wanting so much, the issue is wanting people who are hurting to fund it.
retired senior
4:09 pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
I am a senior on a fixed income. We have not had a raise in two years, and we still have to pay for our health care insurance, while paying higher cost for everything from food and heat for our house . The last we heard we may get a 1 % increase in our social security this coming year but our payment for Medicare will go up, so no gain.
As for retro pay from 3 years ago, I SAY NO. When my husband was on strike we never got retro pay and was on food stamps to feed our family. I will not be able to afford my small home if the taxes continue to live in this district.