Leaders Seek Continued Dialogue on Remaining Issues

LANGHORNE, PA (January 2, 2013) — Nearly 400 members of the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers met Wednesday evening at Maple Point Middle School, where union leaders and bargaining team members presented the details of the latest contract offer from the School Board and reported on the status of contract talks and all options moving forward.

Members accepted the NFT bargaining team’s recommendation against taking action on the Board’s pending proposal—with an overwhelmingly majority of those at the meeting rejecting a motion calling for a formal vote on the school district’s offer. That proposal would eliminate several contract provisions that are key to educational quality in the Neshaminy School District. NFT leaders called on the Board to return to the bargaining table, where significant progress toward a new contract has been made over the last several weeks.

“We continue to put our faith in the negotiating process,” said NFT President Louise Boyd. “And the membership’s acceptance tonight of our recommendation against a strike or other job action at this time is evidence of the NFT’s commitment to working out the few remaining differences through dialogue in negotiations.”

“While a strike at some point before the end of the school year remains an active possibility,” Boyd said “union leaders believe an agreement is within reach if the two sides continue their talks.” Based upon acceptance of the recommendation, teachers and other certified staff will continue to operate under the existing contract until the two sides reach a new deal.

“Holding steady with our current contract means that NFT members will continue to be denied the pay and salary step adjustments which they have earned,” Boyd said. “But for now we will forgo those economic gains so that we can preserve policies and contract provisions that we believe are essential to the well-being and achievement of the kids in our classrooms.”

Maintaining a voice for teachers in decisions that affect educational quality, preserving enforceable limits on class sizes, and correcting unsafe or unhealthy conditions within the schools are all matters that the School Board is seeking to eliminate from the contract.

“It should be clear to anyone who has been following negotiations that this is no longer an economic dispute. For the most part, those issues are resolved. The Board has offered a reasonable salary package which teachers have helped make possible by offering sacrifices that add up to millions and millions of dollars. In fact, we’ve met just about every economic need identified by the Board.”

“But the Board and the community must understand that we have a professional commitment to our students that goes beyond just dollars and days in the school year,” Boyd said. “Our goal has always been a contract that is good for our students. Without recognition from the Board of the impact on children of key issues such as class size, neither side can reach that goal.”

 Once again, greater Rochester will host the New York State Special Olympics Winter Games, staring Friday, February 22 and concluding Sunday, February 24. Competitions and celebrations will be held at various venues in the region:  Opening and Closing Ceremonies and the Olympic Village at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, floor hockey at the Convention Center, cross country skiing at Bristol Mountain, figure skating at Genesee Valley Ice rink, and alpine skiing and snowshoeing at Swain Ski Center.

It's time to share your story with the New Mexico lawmakers who represent you and your family.

It's very important that you tell your state senator and representative your story of how five (5) years of education cuts have affected you, your family, your school, and your students.

Please tell your story as soon as possible.

Best Wishes for a Happy New Year....log on to your HPS web mail to read The New Year message from one of our Presidents Shellye Davis.

I just want to thank anyone who helped in any way on Friday, Dec. 14^th, to run around for me, put up with me, set up, run or clean up after the party.  It was amazing to see how many of you just came up to me and ask what can I do to help you and did whatever I asked you to do.  If I was remiss in acknowledging your help and efforts during the affair, I apologize.  I think everyone had a good time and the party was a great success. I believe the camaraderie exhibited during the affair brought us closer together;  especially in light of the previous events of the morning.

In light of the Race to the Top grant that the Galt Elementary District recently received, I want to take a moment to explain why the GFCCE and high school District did not apply for the same grant. 

Letter to Community Partners Highlights Quality Education, Safety Issues

LANGHORNE, PA (December 20, 2012) — In a message to members and a letter sent today to community partners, leaders of the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers announced plans for a Jan. 2 membership meeting to discuss the status of contract talks and all options moving forward.

With the release of the letter, NFT President Louise Boyd also reiterated previous public statements that the union’s negotiating team has no intention of putting the Neshaminy School Board’s latest offer to a vote of the members. She and other bargaining team members said that statements by Board President Ritchie Webb suggesting that such a vote is planned are “simply wrong.”

Bargaining teams for both sides worked hard during a lengthy session Tuesday night. “There remains unfinished work to complete on issues affecting professional practice and input into decisions related to how and where we work with students,” Boyd said.

The Board’s proposal definitely will be discussed at the Jan. 2 meeting, Boyd and other NFT leaders said. “We will continue to seek ways for teachers to continue to be partners in discussions affecting staff assignments, students’ grades and school safety,” Boyd said.

“We will make sure members understand the Board’s position, but we already have heard from members and know very well how strongly they feel about some of the absolutely critical issues that the Board’s offer fails to resolve,” Boyd said. “What is most unfortunate is that after weeks of more productive discussion at negotiations, the Board is trying to draw another hard line in the sand by calling this their ‘final offer’. They seem to be trying to back our membership into a corner.”

NFT members, Boyd said, will discuss the Board’s offer at the Jan. 2 meeting, and they also will consider a range of possible next steps, including whether to authorize another strike.

At the 2012 North Dakota Public Employees Association Delegate Assembly, a resolution was brought forward to raise membership dues slightly.

 
NDPEA wants your input on our proposed merger with the North Dakota Education Association to create North Dakota United, the state's largest public worker's union! All of NDPEA's members have been sent an e-mail with information about the merger, and a survey to fill out, to let us know about your interest in the merger, and being a delegate to a special Delegate Assembly in Bismarck on Feb. 2 to vote. If you haven't received this e-mail and survey, send an e-mail to comments@ndpea.org and we will send the survey directly to you. If you have received the e-mail, please fill out the survey as soon as you can. We want to get all our members' feedback on this monumental event in the history of public employment for the state of North Dakota.
Let's make history!