Neshaminy teachers are planning another strike. The Neshaminy Federation of Teachers (NFT) announced they officially notified the Neshaminy School District and the Pennsylvania Department of Education they would go on strike on June 4.
The NFT states they voted earlier this month to call a strike if they found it necessary. NFT President Louise Boyd also released the following statement regarding the decision:
We remain focused on the next negotiations session on May 31. We have reviewed the feedback from our members regarding the possibility of a second strike and have weighed all options for moving negotiations forward. If the May 31 negotiations produce no movement from the district, we have determined this is our best course of action to reach a contract. It’s shameful that the District has again led us to this point with its unwillingness to come to the table with a serious offer. Once again, they have failed the students and the taxpayers of Neshaminy. Teachers have compromised on dozens of issues including healthcare, totaling tens of millions of dollars in savings, but all the district has done is say no, including their disparaging, stonewalling reaction to the neutral arbitrator’s recommendations. We think this community deserves a better answer than “no” after four years of bargaining.
In spite of the statement, Boyd also says she remains optimistic about a May 31 bargaining session in which the NFT will continue to negotiate.
“We hope that a strike can be avoided,” said Boyd. “We will do everything in our power to keep both our members and the public informed of any progress. Whether or not we strike is really in the District’s hands now.”
Neshaminy teachers have been working under an expired contract for four years. They previously went on a 9-day strike back in January.
