Schools
Neshaminy Teacher Contract Talks See No Progress
The negotiation session Wednesday between Neshaminy School Board and teachers' union yielded little progress.
A 3-hour-long negotiation session between the Neshaminy teachers' union and school board yielded little results Wednesday evening.
A statement issued by the school board said there was "regrettably" no progress.
Both sides said all communication was handled through a mediator and a large range of issues were discussed.
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"After another round of talks with no movement by union officials the board is more convinced then ever that our contract proposal should be voted on by the teachers," a board statement said.
"The parties concluded the evening’s session by focusing upon the numerous side-letters that have been agreed-upon throughout the years. The NFT’s Chief Negotiator and the Superintendent have agreed to meet at a future date to review each side-letter of agreement in order to reach mutual understanding of their contents," union officials said.
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The board said in their statement that a voice vote during an information meeting does not reflect how teachers really feel. They added it only shows their fear of the union leadership.
Nearly 400 members of the union took part in a voice vote during a Janruary 2 meeting. NFT members accepted the negotiation team's recommendation to not take action on the school board's offer, "with an overwhelmingly majority of those at the meeting rejecting a motion calling for a formal vote on the school district’s offer."
"We are confident that the overwhelming majority of teachers would vote for the proposal if an actual secret ballet vote were held. And it is with them in mind that the Board decided to leave its offer on the table," according to the board statement.
The board statement continued: "If we are wrong and our offer is rejected then at least we can withdraw our proposal and restart negotiations in good conscience that all other options have been exhausted."
While no new dates for negiation have been scheduled, the The mediator is set to schedule additional sessions.
Related:
- Ritchie Webb: NFT 'Made a Terrible Mistake'
- NFT Does Not Vote on 'Final Offer;' Urges Board to Continue Talks
- Letter to the Editor: Parent Breaks Down NFT List of 'Unacceptable Issues'
- Ritchie Webb Urges NFT Leaders to Allow Vote on 'Final Offer'
