NSB Withdraws Contract Offer to Teachers
The Neshaminy School Board announced Wednesday that it pulled its contract offer to teachers off of the table.
The Neshaminy School Board announced Wednesday that it had withdrawn its entire contract offer to the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers.
Read more: Striking Teachers Must Return to Class by June 15
According to a school board press release, the board's attorney Charles Sweet sent a letter to the NFT's attorney Thomas Jennings Tuesday advising the NFT that the board’s most recent proposal in collective bargaining was withdrawn “in its entirety” and that no offer or proposal remains on the table from the school board to the NFT as of this date.
VIDEO: Neshaminy Community Reacts to Second NFT Strike
Any new proposal from the board to the NFT will be made at a future bargaining session, district officials said.
NFT President Louis Boyd told PhillyBurbs that if you look at this move "with a ‘glass-half-full’ perspective, maybe it means they are getting to present a real offer, as we have to them.”
Read more: NSB Addresses NFT's Claims of Threats, Violence
The board's withdrawn proposal was first offered to the union in July 2011 and was marked by a 15 percent health care contribution rate for teachers, an eight-hour work day, 190.5 days of work, and a 1 percent salary increase for each year of the agreement.
Nicole Jenet
9:18 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Do you agree or disagree with this move by the school board?
Richard
12:28 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Nicole, I massively agree with the NSB. When one considers the current economic times, that we already pay near highest schol taxes in all of PA, the lucrative wage & benefit package NFT members are getting now and the reluctance of NFT to get Realistic and shed their Greed, both NSB and Taxpayers must NOT budge fro its fair, decent proposl
Amey Lee Markert
5:08 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
I agree as well! This union the teachers have is ultimately going to end up having alot of their teachers unemployed nxt year! I am sure there are MANY unemployed taxpayers that would give their left arm for 1/2 the salary they get!
Jack Gibbs
10:29 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
This is negotiating in good faith? I am done with this board. Election day cannot come soon enough. We elected them to get a job done. Stop dragging this on. Teachers have already conceded on the 12% healthcare as per the arbitors report (that the SB rejected!). Now please, just concede on that retirement benefit, and I could live with that!
former teacher
8:40 am on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Jack, the key part to this agreement from the position of the district is that it must be affordable. There must be a net savings to the district. A 12% health care premium will cause the NESPA 'me too' clause to kick in and cost the district an additional $2 million. 15% is not an unreasonable figure in this day in age to pay for health care premiums.
But I agree with your intention. If you don't like what an elected official is doing, you should vote them out. I personally stand behind this group. Apparently most in the district agree.
Tired of this crap!
10:47 am on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Wow you ned to get your facts straight!!!
Richard
12:35 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
yoh Jack, Please give myself and the Taxpayers of Neshaminy a Valid, Reasonable explanation as to WHY retiring NFT teachers get a One time Retirement BONUS of over $ 29,000.00 My humble opinion, these Retirees should give the Taxpayers a bonus of $ 29,000.00 for Milking us all their years
Capt. Obvious
6:58 am on Thursday, June 7, 2012
I'd vote for these guys twice if they'd let me. Fire the teachers, and start off fresh with no union.
Richard
12:32 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Exactly correct and stated in understandable Taxpayer terms. Pull a Ronald Reagan, Fire & Terminate all NFT & Teachers Been resident 27 years and the Greed & Ignorance of NFT has sickened me for 27 years straight
former teacher
9:17 am on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Also, I've not seen anything from the NFT that they have accepted a 12% health care pay in. The last official offer was that they would pay a fixed 8% (fixed as % of the premium in the first year). The arbitrator's report recommended 12%. The NFT accepted the aribitrator's report with 'reservations'. In other words, they didn't accept the offer. It is more like this would be their starting point for negotiations with the NSB. I may have missed something but I have not seen that the NFT has agreed to 12% yet. If anyone can point me to some proof on the internet, I would be happy to back off of my comments.
Richard
12:42 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
g d NFT does not want the NSB offer nor does it really want that so called impartial arbitrator's offer. NFT & that Boisterous Boyd said this offer was acceptable with Reservations...meaning NFT wants it their way I pray that the NSB can simply terminate all the NFT members and then hire or rehire at fair and reasonable pay and benefits.. Remember NFT & Boyd what just happened in WI and in heavilt Liberal San Diego & San Jose-- NFT, you are next to be "neutered" !
Jack Gibbs
1:06 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Yo Richard, I AM A TAXPAYER. I do not think the teachers should have the retirement bonus. I also think that they should give up the retro for the first 3 years, thus, giving us a 3 year pay freeze.
The teachers accepted the 12% healthcare contribution when they accepted the arbitors report. There were some "reservations" on certain parts of the report, but I believe the 12% healthcare contribution was agreed to.
I know that many people believe the teachers are drinking the "NFT Kool Aid" and those die hards that show up at every board meeting hoping to get interviewed for Fox are drinking the "Board Kool Aid".
I, for one, wish that all of the finger pointing, teacher bashing, and utterly ridiculous lawn signs would just go away, so the Board and the NFT would just get to work and get this thing done!
Frank Meander
8:48 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
I agree let's get this done already. To many people are worried about sound bites and creating attention for themselves. Your board groupies know who you are.
former teacher
9:19 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Frank, as a 'board groupie' who would love to get out of this business, let me ask you a question. How quickly could this be settled if the NFT would just agree to one basic concept: a CBA that has a net savings to the district (i.e. the expenses of the NSD, including compensation to the teachers are less than the taxes coming in to the district).
I'm guessing if the NFT would agree to this simple concept, this would be settled in a New York minute. What do you think?
former teacher
1:52 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Jack, please see above. Can you direct me to some verifiable source that shows that the NFT has accepted a 12% pay in to health care? Not trying to be a pain, but I believe that the NFT has not done this.
Also, remember the basic premise of the NSB is to have a CBA that is a net savings to the district (i.e. not spend more than comes in via taxes). Anything less than 15% will cause the 'me too' clause to kick in. (I will be happy to explain if you like.)
One question off the contract topic - any idea why people are 'teacher bashing'?
feasterville resident
3:28 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
I totally support the NSB. I would re-elect them in a heart beat.
Read the financials, it is in black and white. We cannot afford what the NFT wants.
Math 101
The teachers are being paid an above average wage compared to surrounding school districts.
These economical times result in economical decisions.
BucksParent
3:36 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
12% contribution is not enough, but it's closer. No retro pay. No retirement healthcare. The salary schedule must be increased to at least 15 steps. No % increase to the salary schedule is required. No MEQ. This is not Kool Aid it is responsible business.
JW Lower South
2:10 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
Former Teacher, Who allowed the "me too" clause in the first place?
former teacher
4:42 pm on Saturday, June 9, 2012
JW, the "me too" clause was negotiated with the NESPA workers by the NSB. I don't think 'allowed' would be the best way to categorize it. The NSB wanted it in there. I hope this helps.