On Day 2 of strike, Neshaminy teachers cut back picketing
Demonstrations limited to six of the 12 schools, and canceled for before tonight's school board meeting.
On Day 2 of strike, Neshaminy teachers cut back picketing
On Day 2 of the Neshaminy teachers strike, union members cut back their picketing of district schools and canceled their usual demonstration before school board meetings tonight, a union spokesman said.
After picketing all 12 schools Monday, the union shortened the schedule to six schools for Tuesday and Wednesday, the spokesman said – Neshaminy High School, Maple Point Middle School, and Oliver Heckman, Walter Miller, Herbert Hoover, and Lower Southampton elementary schools.
The union also told teachers to “stand down” and not demonstrate at Maple Point’s two driveways before the school board’s 7 p.m. public work session, the spokesman said. There were several incidents of eggs and fruit being thrown at picketing teachers Monday, and the union wants to avoid possible fights or confrontations before the meeting, the spokesman said.
An emotionally charged audience of nearly 800 teachers, parents, students and other residents is expected to fill the auditorium. During the union’s eight-day strike in January, about 30 community members were turned away from a board meeting once the auditorium’s legal capacity was reached.
“There is a silent majority of community members who are out there,” union Vice President Jeff Dunkley said Monday. “I hope they will pack that place and tell the board, ‘You need to be reasonable with these teachers.’ ”
All classes were canceled for the second day.
Both sides were waiting for the state Department of Education to set a deadline for the 633-member uinon to return to work to complete the 180-day school year by June 29. That deadline is expected to be June 18 at the latest.
The teachers are completing their fourth year without a raise, working under the terms of the contract that expired in July 2008. After 39 negotiating sessions and a recent non-binding arbitration. both sides are still far apart on retroactive and future raises, health care contributions and retirement incentives.
The union is seeking 80 percent of missed raises, including for education and service time. It also has proposed annual wage increases of 1 percent to 3.25 percent from last year through the 2013-14 school year.
The school board maintains it cannot afford any retroactive pay, except for education credits. It has offered 1 percent raises for this year and each of the next two years.
Under the district’s proposal, base salaries would range from $42,552 to $96,883 this year.
The teachers, who have never contributed to their health care coverage, have offered to pay 8 percent of the annual premiums, compared to the district’s proposed 15 percent.
And they have offered to reduce the $27,500 retirement benefit after 10 years of consecutive service, plus free insurance coverage for them and their dependents, while the district is seeking to drop the benefit.
- Darwin09 - maybe you aren't familiar with the Neshaminy 'timeline'. Since May 2010, the NFT has been short changing kids with the WTC and now the strikes.
I guess I should have started with the 'throwing things at your children's teachers' - there is NO excuse for this kind of behavior.
But please understand that parents are pretty upset with the NFT.— silent observer - So let me get this straight, parents are upset because teachers are doing exactly what they are getting paid for? In other words, they would like for them to do things for free? Really? In my mind people do things for people that return the favor. From where I stand I don't see that from the parents. — vathi
- If they picket graduation next week like I hear they have planned it will be UGLY!!!! Parents are in no mood for these greedy teachers holding their children hostage.— lostInPhilly
- The dummies are out in force. If you were to work without raises and cuts in benefits looming, I wonder if you would? An impartial arbitrator gave a ruling. The union didn't like it but accepted it. The Board didn't. How about pointed the tomatoes at them?— skolman
- Skolman - the absence of raises has been due to the NFT's refusal to accept the NSB offer. Not what they wanted? That's ok but they have chosen.
One question and one question only - should the NFT accept the board's basic premise: a CBA that is equal to/less than the taxes coming into the district?
You don't have to agree or disagree. If you think the NFT shouldn't have to sign something they don't want, that is your right (and the NFT) but you can't complain. The NFT shouldn't have to agree to something if they don't want to. But they can't complain about the NSB holding to their guns either.— silent observer - @ Darwin ^ it really is an extension of NE Philly. That's where a lot of old NE residents fled. But as for the eggs ... I say good for them - these teachers are being unreasonable pigs. They should be HAPPY to work under that expired contract. A lot has changed in the last 4 years & almost none of it was for the better. Bout time this teachers union realizes it.— Kennedy
- “There is a silent majority of community members who are out there,” union Vice President Jeff Dunkley said Monday.
That is one of the biggest lies that the NFT likes to tell. The fact is that the school board has the overwhelming support of the community. That can be seen in the results of every conversation with residents and every online poll that I have come across. Poll numbers put the community in favor of the board's action over the NFT's by at least 5:1. The poles normally show 60-70% in favor of the board, 10-15% in favor of the teachers and 20% or so saying both sides need to compromise more.
“I hope they will pack that place and tell the board, ‘You need to be reasonable with these teachers.' ”
Don't worry Jeff, we'll be there and we can be sure the board will deal with the NFT as it has all along: professionally and responsibly. You won't have to look far for me, I'll be sitting right next to you with the sign that says "WE SUPPORT THE NESHAMINY SCHOOL BOARD"— Kirk B - why would there be a union for 600 workers, ridiculous— raynesrock
- I can't decide if they should get raises and benies or not, but one thing is certain. The teachers have a difficult job. Not only do they have to teach their content area, they also need to teach the children how to behave like civilized humans. For example, it's not OK to scream at, throw at, or hit someone because you don't agree with them. A sad situation and a good example of what is going wrong in our society.— Darwin09
- Darwin09 - no question about it. Teachers jobs are difficult. But everyone has a job that has its own difficulties.
Please bear in mind that in NSD the NFT has been doing much less than what is expected of them, hence the anger.
It is wrong to be violent or to act out in any way towards these teachers. It is just plain wrong. It is just as wrong for these teachers to have vandalized cars of contrary people like teacher Dave Ferarra. He has had 3 tires slashed/punctured for his stance against Boyd. One teacher received a death threat from his 'colleagues'. Many have been bullied. This is also wrong.— silent observer - I agree — Darwin09
- "irregardless" is a word but it stinks of peasantry— 2ndNlong
- Is it just me (a Delco guy) or does Neshaminy teachers union go on strike EVERY YEAR?— KingOfPhilly
- To the board: stand firm and do not budge off the 15%. Negotiate other areas if needed but maintain the 15% as non-negotiable.— Northcountry
- Can anyone tell me a profession that has gotten raises in the last 4 years? In my circle of college educated family and friends some lost jobs, got new lower paying jobs, and others in the "trades" or self employed are scrapping for work!! Are these entitled seeing something I'm not seeing that we're supposed to feel bad they haven't had a raise in 4 years?— gone with the wind
