Neshaminy Teachers Union Makes Its First Concession After 3 Year Impasse

June 1, 2011 - PRLog -- On Tuesday, the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers revealed their 3rd counter offer in as many years with the fanfare of an official press conference.  A dramatic change of pace for a union negotiating team that has refused to “negotiate in public” in the past.   Among the highlights of the new proposal was the presence of employee health care contributions at a fixed price based on 8% of current plan costs, up from the 0% contributions that they’ve enjoyed since 2002.  In addition to the contribution level, the NFT has re-proposed the PC15 plan which is currently 100% employer paid for all certified employees - both active and retired.  The majority of the 2002 CBA remains untouched.

The newly proposed health care contributions are a necessary change from the previously staunch union demands, but it seems that the NFT remains 3 years behind the negotiation process.  In June of 2008 the Neshaminy School Board initially proposed employee contributions of 15%, 16%, and then 17% over a 3-year term.  The NFT negotiators blanched at the proposal then and led its members on a 7 month mini-strike that had teachers skip graduation ceremonies, refuse to meet with parents, and decline to write letters of recommendation among other things.  Over the course of a 3 year impasse the union made only one other counter-offer that called for salaries to increase to $114,000 for 188.5 days a year of employment, included raises retroactive to 2008, and refused to make any health care contributions - even after retirement.  Now that the Board has officially withdraw its 3 year offer, it appears that the NFT wants to deal on those terms rather than in the current market.

While the NFT’s first concession is a welcome change in position, many may see it as too little too late.  The district has had to endure a 3 year impasse with its most costly labor contract, parents have had to deal with reluctant teachers and little communication, and students have had the additional challenge of teachers doing the bare minimum - going even so far as to boycott their graduation ceremony.  Now the housing market is entering a double dip, oil and electricity rates are near all time highs, and the cost of health benefits continue to rise annually.  Perhaps this latest proposal by the NFT would have been something to work with in June of 2008 but the landscape has since changed.

With the school year set to end soon, both sides have returned to their respective drawing boards. The Neshaminy School Board is working on a new proposal of its own, just as it did at this time in 2008.  As it happened when the contract initially expired, both sides will again enter the summer with their own versions of a contract proposal.  Although the first time resulted in a contentious multi-year impasse, no one can guess how it will play out this time. Hopefully, the NFT’s first concession will be a step in a new direction that will lead to an agreement.  Unfortunately, it may also be deja vu all over again.

# # #

GetRealNeshaminy.com provides information regarding the hot issues in the Neshaminy School District. Aimed at motivating residents and busy parents to get involved, GetRealNeshaminy.com keeps it simple. Your taxes, your children, your school district!