'Very Little Negotiation' Occurs; 'Bitterly Disappointed' NFT to Strike
The Neshaminy School Board and NFT met in their 39th negotiation session Thursday night.
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Going into Thursday night's negotiation session, both school board President Ritchie Webb and Neshaminy Federation of Teachers President Louise Boyd were optimistic for productive bargaining in order to avoid a second strike, however, that was not the case.
In a NFT press release, it was stated that negotiations between the NFT and school board broke down quickly when the district "flatly rejected" the NFT’s offer to meet throughout the weekend to hammer out a new contract.
"We told the district that the June 4 strike could be averted if they had an attitude adjustment and agreed to negotiate throughout the weekend, and they flatly rejected our offer," Boyd said.
“We are bitterly disappointed with the district,” she continued, stating that had the school board "agreed to be more open" to discussing ways to come to a settlement and to meeting throughout the weekend, the union would have "immediately called off the impending strike."
"Given the district’s refusal to meet this weekend, we are left with no other option other than to strike," Boyd said.
The less than three hour long negotiation session included a "surprise guest."
According to a press release from school board President Ritchie Webb, at the direction of the Secretary of Labor as requested by Governor Corbett, the Director of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Mediation, William Gross, joined mediator John Cairns for Thursday's session.
Gross's appearance at the meeting, according to the union's press release, is a sign that "the state recognizes how far out of hand this situation has become."
"We’re hopeful that his presence will signal a change," Boyd said.
Both parties sat in the same room for the first 30 minutes of the meeting with the mediators. According to Webb's release, Gross asked the board why they rejected the arbitrator’s report, to which attorney Chuck Sweet gave several explanations, but most notably that the district could not afford it.
In the meeting, Sweet told the mediators that the board and union agreed to 12 items on the arbitrator’s award and hoped that both sides could confirm that night as a demonstration that there was some common ground.
When Gross asked the NFT's team what was needed to prevent another strike, the union's attorney, Tom Jennings, said that the "board needed to change its attitude," as stated in Webb's press release, in addition to stating that Jennings said "the board only cares about its wallet" and "negotiations are a joke."
Boyd also said that the school board "admitted" to having the money to settle the contract, but that "they’re not going to spend it on teachers and educational programs."
After the two sides split off into separate rooms, both mediators moved back and forth into private discussions with each group. Much of the remaining time was spent with each side explaining its position to Gross, Webb said.
"Regrettably, very little negotiation took place," Webb continued, noting that, providing the union is not on strike, the next negotiation session is scheduled for June 12.
John
8:27 am on Friday, June 1, 2012
So, what TRUE concession did the NFT offer that indicated to NSB that negotiating this weekend would be productive? My guess is that there was none! Mr. Sweet said that there were 12 items on the arbitiors report that both sides could agree on and hoped that it could offically happen tonight. I dont see that it happened. Why not NFT? I agree with the NSB 100% for not wanting to waste their time this weekend.
How could the NSB admit to having the money to settle this impase and tell the moderators that they couldn't afford the arbitors report? My guess is that Boyd is taking that information out of context and that she is referring to the building repair fund. I agree that this money SHOULD NOT go to the teachers! Boyd goes on to say that they (NSB) are not going to spend it on teachers and educational programs. Louise, how will giving the NFT the contract that was handed over to the arbitor by you help with educational programs?
To the NFT: This contract impase it ENTIRELY on YOU!!! It is the NFT that is making these negotiations a joke and needs an attitude adjustment. You need to understand the financial realities of this district and the community. The salaries and benefits that you get / want DO NOT match the results that you are producing! Even if the NSD had the money to settle this impase i see NO reason for it to go to the NFT!!!
feasterville resident
10:08 am on Friday, June 1, 2012
Louise Boyd, you called for the strike, under your terms. You state you are "bitterly disappointed". Who needs the attitude adjustment? You, Louise Boyd. As a parent and taxpayer, I am disappointed with you and the NFT.
The NSB is looking out for the best interest of the children and the taxpayers. Don't you get it? Do the math. We are in dire straits during these economical times. Bit the bullet, like the rest of us have done.
TJH,Jr
11:28 am on Friday, June 1, 2012
The NFT should be happy to be working PERIOD. I say let em strike then replace them ALL for next year.
ConcernedParent
12:25 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012
I am pretty sure there are plenty of out of work teacher sitting around collecting unemployment that would jump at teh opportunity to get back into the workforce and teach our children. How are we the taxpayers and parents supposed to feel when financial gain is more important to teachers than doing their job and working with our kids. I have not received a raise in more than 4 years either, but I still go to work everyday so I can pay my bills and pay my taxes so the teachers can be paid. How can the people responsible for the education of our children be so short sighted? Are we to believe that with all this going on that the teachers are currently giving 100% effort to our children??? Are they still getting 100% of their salary? Are they still receiving their "taxpayer funded health insurance??
Capt. Obvious
12:36 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012
I'm all for fire them Monday and rehire the good ones back for the end of the summer. The teachers did it to themselves when they re-elected Boyd. They had their shot to put in someone the school board could work with then. Neshaminy was never known as a great school district, and for the past decade it's just become a joke. Time for an overhaul. Tear it apart, fix it, and bring it back as a place we want to send our kids, not a place we worry about sending them.
feasterville resident
12:43 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012
Do what was done to the air traffic controllers in the 80's. Enough is enough. This is affecting our children.
feasterville resident
1:11 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012
Pennsbury had early dismissal on May 29 due to high temperatures. What is Neshaminy going to do through June 29? (vented in Bucks county courier times)
Levittown resident
3:09 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012
My kids will not go! It's as simply as that!!
FRANK LEWIS
4:18 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
The NFT and their CLUELESS leader MS BOYD need to be BITTERLY ASHAMED!!
" DUMP THE 650 " new bumper sticker, anyone want one!
FRANK LEWIS
4:21 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
POLL UPDATE: 524 VOTES, 436 SAY NO TO STRIKE!!!!! THATS 83% MS BOYD CAN YOU READ????