Neshaminy, teachers to resume contract talks
Facing fourth school year without a contract, both sides are scheduled to continue Thursday's talks with a state mediator.
The Neshaminy Federation of Teachers called Thursday's negotiations "an open and frank review of many economic issues separating us." The school board called them "positive" but not a breakthrough.
Tonight at 6, negotiators for both sides are scheduled to meet for the 33rd time since January 2008 to work out a new contract. The impasse is the longest in the state in eight years, when the Somerset Area School District resolved a five-year stalemate, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association says.
At Thursday's session, state mediator John Cairns talked to each side separately. He indicated the NFT wanted to be placed on the salary steps they would receive in their most recent proposal, according to a district statement. The NFT put the cost of that proposal at $1.2 million for this school year, while the school board estimated it at more than $4.8 million, according to the statement.
Other stumbling blocks include pay raises, retroactive pay and contributions for health-care coverage. Last week, the union instituted a "work-to contract" job action and said a strike is an option.