It’s back to school time on Friday for students in the Neshaminy School District. Teachers in the district agreed to end their 9-day strike.
While the strike took place, there were no negotiations between the board and the teachers. Now that the teachers are back in the classroom, those negotiations can continue.
The 654-member Neshaminy Federation of Teachers went on strike on January 9 in hopes of forcing a contract deal after working without raises since 2008. District officials claim they can’t afford even half of the teachers’ demands without raising taxes, spending reserves and cutting student programs. Teachers battled with the school board over issues including salary, retirement and health care.
Teachers are currently under a “Rolls Royce” plan in which their healthcare is 100% paid for. The board however wants the teachers to pay at least 15% while the teachers are willing to pay 8%.
The dispute led to more than a week of work stoppage. Parents of students in the district were divided on the issue.
“A teaching strike is legal but by moral definition it is wrong,” said one parent.
“The thing that gets me is no one wants to take responsibility,” said another parent. “It’s all about pointing fingers and we’ve been pointing fingers for four years. That’s not the way we’re going to find resolve.”
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The teachers decided to end the strike in accordance with a Pennsylvania statute that limits the length of teacher strikes.
Now that the teachers are back in class, they’ll be able to complete the school year on June 15 as scheduled, according to the union. Union officials also say however there is always the potential to strike again.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday.
