Neshaminy teachers offer to end strike
Union seeks around-the-clock talks for seven days, followed by binding arbitration.
Neshaminy teachers offer to end strike
Louise Boyd, president of the Neshaminy teachers union, reads a statement Thursday night outside Maple Point Middle School, urging the school board to resume negotiations. (Bill Reed/Staff)
The 654-member Neshaminy Federation of Teachers offered Friday to end their five-day strike to enter around-the clock negotiations with the school board for one week, followed by "final and binding arbitration.
"We have been advised that the School Board is willing to engage in around the clock negotiations if the Federation is willing to immediately end its strike," the union said in a letter to school board President Ritchie Webb. "The Federation welcomes this Board offer to bargain twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week until agreement is reached, if the strike is suspended.
"We would readily agree to do so if the Board also agrees that if no agreement is reached within seven days of around the clock bargaining, all remaining disputes would be submitted to final and binding arbitration before an arbitrator selected from a list of seven names provided by the American Arbitration Association," the union said.
"The offer to enter into binding arbitration is huge," union spokesman Bob Schiers said. "It's the first time in the history of the NFT" that it has been offered.
Webb said he had not made an offer to the union, other than that negotiations would resume once the teachers go back to work.
"The rest of it is spin," he said. "I am considering it."
Webb said he would respond to the union Friday afternoon, after discussing the offer with board members.
Schiers said that Webb and board Vice President Kim Koutsouradis have said in interviews and at Tuesday's school board meeting that they would return to the table and negotiate around-the-clock, seven days a week, as soon as the teachers end their strike.
Comments (62)
2 out of the 9 board members have college degrees on the Neshaminy School Board? Who elected these officials?? How can these uneducated fools be making these decisions?— Injure The Machine- Obviously the teachers are over compensated relative to current economic conditions.
The taxpayers/board should be able to set pay and benifits and then the teachers can choose to accept them or find another job.— factsfirst - Who created these "current economic conditions"? When are the taxpayers going to set the salaries of Wall Street and the banks and hold them accountable for the trillions they have taken from the taxpayer. Not only are they not arrested, not only do they not lose their jobs; they are given million dollar bonuses for scamming the taxpayer. — tom-104
- The problem isn't the union as much as it is there leader. She is a complete boob. L.Boyd is out of touch with the rest of the world and hasn't taken the time to see what the economics are with the rest of the working class. In every occupation across the board, the rank and file contribute to there health and welfare package. The pay raises have been slim or they've been frozen for some time now. It would be wise for this clueless leader to inform her union to accept what the school board and the taxpayers can afford and get back to the job of teaching. The future of working class citizens are in the classrooms now and this union leader and this union are teaching them how to completely cost themselves a decent job by shear stupidity.— WBFO
- If the union has a terrible case I would think the board would be more than willing to go to binding arbitration.— mick-of-the-moment
- Since when did the taxpayers have any say in anything?— Boru
- artese - I feel bad for you then. I know plenty of people that went to GA, Ghost, Judge, and other highly regarded private schools, that end up with the same jobs as people who graduated council rock, neshaminy, central bucks ... so so much for paying all that money for the same result. And beleive it or not I know people who went to those private schools where they graduate with the "skills needed" and end up being a personal trainer at a LA fitness with no college degree. And as for the quality of the teacher, it is easier to get a private school then at any of the big public school districts in or around bucks county. Today the big public schools won't even look at you if you don't have a 4.0, do you know how many people try and get into schools like neshaminy to teach and get turned down, so they go to Philadelphia or a private school.— shoutout
- the school board has shown, in real dollars, what the cost of the new contract would mean to taxpayers, not just locally but the state picks up a portion as well. the school board has not shown anything that I am aware of to contradict the numbers, which are untenable. With the highest paid teachers in the state, no contributions to great benefits package, I would say the union is being greedy.— adman
- When was the last time you complained about Wall Street and the banking community swindlers who have been handed trillions of tax payer dollars in the last five years? They have done a good job at getting you to attack the educators of the next generation, a core foundation of society, and taking away attention from what they have taken from society without contributing very much. — tom-104
Comment removed.- You really didn't try to male your point by comparing SAT scores of a school that accepts ONLY the students they want to a school that HAS to take everyone did you? You must have some of that private ducation yourself. — vathi
- RYAN - Since you are having a hard time believing the salaries, here you go. Keep in mind these salaries are AFTER a 3.5 year pay freeze. Also keep in mind the pension is 87% of salary after 35 years, so do that mathhttp://php.app.com/PAteachers10/results.php?county=Bucks&LEAname=Neshaminy+SD&school=%25&lname=&fname=&assignment=%25&Submit=Search (HTML deleted)— robtpenn
- Robtpenn, the web link is terrific! It shows the salary of each individual teacher in Neshaminy. So the loudmouth Louise Boyd is a biology teacher who makes $97,600 per year after not receiving a raise for nearly 4 years. How can a taxpayer not be outraged? — polonius47
- RYAN - Since you are having a hard time believing the salaries, here you go. Keep in mind these salaries are AFTER a 3.5 year pay freeze. Also keep in mind the pension is 87% of salary after 35 years, so do that math
http://php.app.com/PAteachers10/results.php?county=Bucks&LEAname=Neshaminy+SD&school=%25&lname=&fname=&assignment=%25&Submit=Search— robtpenn - Comment removed.
- As I recall arbitrators in PA teacher negoiations are not allowed to consider the financial condition of the district in making their decision. Would seem to be a disaster for the taxpayers— robtpenn
- are teachers even really that important?— raynesrock
- Ryan; So 80K isn't a lot these days.....err..is your last nema Rip Van Winkle???— STEPHEN1988
- Artese -
You clearly don't have a clue. Most of these teachers have obtained a higher level of education(masters) which off the bat makes them qualified for numerous other careers. They chose to be teachers because they love their job and want to help kids. No one knows what it is like to deal with kids and their parents everyday. And I guarantee you couldn't do it for the number of years theses teachers have, nor could I. Every other school district around has gotten new contracts while these teachers have been working without contracts for years. They have purposed 6 different contacts, all in which they have offered to pay towards their healthcare, and the district turns it down and offers them a contract until the end of the school year ... for what??? so they can do this all over again next year? The district needs to step up and be willing to meet them halfway and offer more than a few months of a contract. I'd be doing the same thing if I was a teacher, seeing all the other school district get new contracts and years later they still don't have one. They contract they are asking for is no different than the ones the other schools have received.
— shoutout - The education establishment themselves have pushed the Masters degree as a teaching requirement precisely to bulwark their claims to higher wage entitlement. These degree programs are chock full of liberal social nonsense, education theory, and pointless role concentration. The truth is that any adult who themselves went to school when they were children already possesses all the knowledge necessary to teach below the high school level.One doesn't need a Masters degree to teach Dick and Jane watch Spot run. Folks with these meager skills are a dime a dozen and should be paid accordingly. The Masters degree requirement is a ploy to drive up wages. — polonius47
- Thats how much you know. First of all that a State requirement if they want to keep their licence. Second, most of them (depending on the district) have to pay from 50% to 100% for their masters so why would you go and pay 20k to bring your pay up 1k a year if you didn't have too? If you think the difference is larger i suggest you do some reading. — vathi
- the point was that a masters like those other licenses are used to distinquish themselves from the rest of the pack, hence the reason they get a $5k bonus off the bat, which carries over the years. Its a long term ivestment. you seem like you could use an example ... emplyee A has a BA and employee to has a masters. Bc of this employee A gets $45k a yr and emplyee B gets $50k a yr and paid $20k for their masters, after 5 yrs they pay off their tuition and since they usually teach for 25-30 yrs 20 more yrs at $5k would be $100,000 more than employee A. Thats how it works my firend ... do ur research. Either way the teachers deserve a new contract and offered to pay towards their benefits. — shoutout
- They do it for the same reasons as people need to take the GMAT's, SAT's, CPA's, series 7's and other exams like that. It makes them learn their material better to further qualify them for the position, which is the reason they offer incentives to do so. Have you have sat in a 400 level math or science class, or even a 400 level class period? probably not. Either way if I am looking for a accountant or financial advisor to handle my affairs, I am not going to take someone with a BA when I can get someone with a masters degree or CFA or CPA. Same holds true with my kids, so I am supportive of teachers getting their masters, and schools rewarding them for doing so. — shoutout
- Comment removed.
- When has the media ever sided with a Union or workers in any dispute? The workers are clearly not greedy in every labor dispute if you actually look at the numbers and not believe every word the papers print. That is an easy and simplistic outlook to have. People who reflexively blame Unions for all the countries problems should just come out and admit that they want to lower the standard of living in this country. Here is a novel idea: stop attacking your neigbors who are middle class like you and start focusing on the 1% and the politicians in both parties who cause these problems. They sit back and laugh at you in their gated communities.— Michael T. Welsh
- Your exactly correct. They only know what is published in the paper and now all of the sudden they know it all. Most of the negotiations have not been publicized until recently. Its like when time comes for the NFL draft and all these fans read mock drafts (which is published, like what is published in the paper on this only about 5% of the knowledge)and all of the sudden know everything about everyone, without ever watching a college football game or only their team play out of the 100's of other teams in the country. They are only getting a small dose of what really is going on because the Union doesn't go running to the public. Even with the strike they dont. If there was never a strike no one would have an idea that they have been trying to get a contract for years ... — shoutout
- Your exactly correct. They only know what is published in the paper and now all of the sudden they know it all. Most of the negotiations have not been publicized until recently. Its like when time comes for the NFL draft and all these fans read mock drafts (which is published, like what is published in the paper on this only about 5% of the knowledge)and all of the sudden know everything about everyone, without ever watching a college football game or only their team play out of the 100's of other teams in the country. They are only getting a small dose of what really is going on because the Union doesn't go running to the public. Even with the strike they dont. If there was never a strike no one would have an idea that they have been trying to get a contract for years ... — shoutout
- A mere stunt for PR.
PA law allows for non-binding arbitration at any time, and also after the union is required to go back to work after the allowable number of strike days occurs.— carelessfills - Comment removed.
- HAHA I guess the"real professionals" you are seeking will work for free huh? Love it, you professionals on a discount. I think every teacher in this country needs to go on strike and let you people see how things work in the "real" world that I read so much about in these posts. — vathi
- i'm not terribly familiar with neshaminy in particular. but I'm just talking in generalities here. But I have a hard time believing that the average teacher in that district is earning anything close to 80K a year. and even 80K a year isn't a ton in today's day in age. that's just a honest middle class living. teachers are one of the most important pillars of our community and should be paid accordingly.— Ryan
- The board won't go for binding arbitration because they know they won't be happy with the results. I'm amazed that everyone is putting all of the blame on the teachers. I guess that means a board should be able to pay whatever it wants as long as it says " We don't have it", and everyone believes them. BTW, how much do you think the Supe is getting paid, or the members of that board? I'll bet it's much more insane than any teacher's salary.— drbob1
- where is larry pastor when you need him?— stevejones
- Comment removed.
- Got to love people like you. "A lot are underpaid. Unfortunately, they know this going in". You bring his up only when it works for you but when they reply "True but we also knew going in that the benefits and pension would make up for it" your story changes. Now they are overpaid. Now you want teachers to be underpaid and pay for their benefits. So which one is it? You think 80k is a lot but after how many years do they get there? What do other people with equal education (i.e engineers, lawyers...)make with the same years? I think they would LOVE to pay 15% if they were making their salaries, don't you? — vathi
- teachers are over worked and under paid. its an absolute travesty that teachers in this country are so low paid. we should make education a top priority in this country. the sad fact is that many teachers in this country are so low paid that they're eligible for welfare and food stamps. it is a national disgrace.— Ryan
- Ryan- You can't be serious, so I am assuming you're being facetious. If you're not then go ahead and get that marker that Mr. Chris writes about.
- I'd like you to get a marker and write the word "IDIOT" across your forhead so that everyone sees what I see right now. — Mr. Chris
- Comment removed.
- It's absurd that they are arguing over paying a % toward their health benefits. Most everyone pays something towards them, well except the politicians. They can't keep fighting over 8% and 15%. Split the difference. It is reasonable to pay 11 or 12%. Give incentives for staying healthy and on the job! Allow the % paid to decrease if the teacher has a certain number of sick days unused in their bank or for perfect attendance in a year. There are ways to settle this people!— DECsBabe
I know it's a novel concept, but whatever happened to quitting?
If you seriously think your employer has under valued you, why work there? Could it be because they haven't and even at the current levels this is the best deal you can get? Because otherwise, any professional I know would move on.— Jim7429- Comment removed.
- Yes, it is about their love for the children. And for getting what they are worth.You surely wouldn't want to teach and neither would any of the other anti-teachers on here. Otherwise, you'd be doing it. So why aren't you? — mike l
- Binding arbitration and collective bargaining are the enemies of the taxpayer. It forces a school board and the taxpayers to accept terms that they would not necessarily accept in a free market. These teachers are some of the best paid in the state, and currently pay 0% towards health care premiums. They are making far over a free market wage right now, while thousands of qualified teachers sit idle. They would gladly work for much less than the $80k mean wage.
Luckily, there is a state law that forces a referendum before the district can raise taxes, which might put a wrench in this.— MattPSU - Binding arbitration is the fair and objective way to settle a labor dispute. It forces both parties to 'show their cards' and accept terms that fall within current market conditions.
"...They are making far over a free market wage right now,..." _____Really Matt?! What is the current "free market wage"? I'm curious. Facts please, no knee-jerk figures.— snad264 - Louise Boyd looks pretty well-fed.— tr88
- Comment removed.
- You know that the school board is elected to represent the taxpayers, right? Of course you don't. Allow me to explain.
School Boards are elected by the voters of the school district to represent the interests of the residents of the district in matters such as these. If people don't like what the school board does, they can vote them out. That is how a representational democracy works. - Comment removed.
- Yeah, working 3-1/2 years without a contract while the board does nothing. How disgraceful of them! — mike l
- "...They have shown that all they care about is themselves..."______Those damn Capitalists!! — snad264
- The union even wants to remove the taxpayers from having a say in who is the arbitrator. The hubris, greed and dirty tricks have no end with the NFT.— CD75
- Wrong again. The union said the Arbitration assocation would supply a list of seven names that the union and the board would agree on. Wow! What a dirty trick that is. Did you even finish school? Not likely. — mike l
- "The union even wants to remove the taxpayers from having a say in who is the arbitrator."________Really?! You proof? — snad264
I agree with you CD75- I would prefer a town referendum so taxpayers can end this situation immediately, but you know that the teachers union wouldn't agree to it. I previously assumed that the arbiter would side with the NSD.— kjuggs77- If you had a town referendum, you would have no school. People wold vote to cut everything. — mike l
- Binding arbitration is a joke. It transfers the decision making power from the 2 parties to a third party who has not interest in the matter and who does not pay the bills. The taxpayers have no say whatsoever in artbitration What the NFT is saying to the taxpayors is we want you out of the mix. You are worthless to us.— CD75
- Wrong, cd. It means the arbitrator looks at both sides without an ax to grind. Since the board presents its side, which considers the tax base, the taxpayers are represented. The taxpayers, as you say, do not have any say now either. Their side is presented by the school board they elect. The arbitrator also tries to get both sides to agree beore making a decision. There, you just learned how the system works. — mike l
- Binding arbitration is the most objective way to resolve a labor dispute for the very reason you mention in you comment against it - "It transfers the decision making power from the 2 parties to a third party who has not interest in the matter..." The arbitrator will listen to both sides and review several factors in reaching his/her conclusion, including the Township's finances and ability to pay for the salaries and benefits over the proposed term of the contract. How is that a joke? — snad264
- I hope Richie takes this offer so this community can heal and my son can get back to school were he belongs!— LanghorneSteve
- Binding arbitration could spell disaster for the NFT...they had better be able to justify their demands.— kjuggs77
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