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Strike talks fall through again
By: Dan Sokil
The Souderton Area Education Association and the school district met again on Monday, but talks broke off after about an hour with little progress.
"There was no movement today. We met together, and went over some minor contract language, but there was no movement today," said SAEA President Bill Lukridge.
Monday's meeting began at 2:30 p.m. and broke off after a little more than an hour, considerably shorter than the marathon five and a half hour session both parties held on Friday.
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"Despite our hopes that today's bargaining session would be highlighted by a much awaited salary proposal by the SAEA, no such proposal was presented by the union," said Jeffrey Sultanik, the district's chief negotiator.
"During the one hour session, the Souderton school board did make concessions on its proposal for in-service days and parent conference days, and the teachers union did not respond to that proposal," he said.
Lukridge stated after talks broke off that "the hangup is still between salary and medical" benefits, but Sultanik painted a different picture of Monday's talks.
"The teachers union continues to insist that the school board agree to a health insurance plan which will cost the district $1.9 million more per year than the school board's plan, before the union is willing to discuss changes to its salary proposal," Sultanik said.
The SAEA has been on strike and picketing outside district schools since Sept 2, which would have been the first day of school for the Souderton Area School District.
"Despite what the union has been communicating to the public, the union leadership has not made a single counterproposal to the salary plan the board submitted on Sept. 1," Sultanik said.
Monday marked the third face to face meeting between the two parties since the strike began.
"Half of the month has passed since then, and we've had the equivalent of a 10 or 11 day work stoppage, while the union steadfastly refuses to change its salary proposal without imposing preconditions," Sultanik said.
State mediator Jill Leeds Rivera last week scheduled another negotiation session for Friday morning at 10:30 a.m., which both parties confirmed Monday is still on as scheduled.
The Souderton Area Education Association and the school district met again on Monday, but talks broke off after about an hour with little progress.
"There was no movement today. We met together, and went over some minor contract language, but there was no movement today," said SAEA President Bill Lukridge.
Monday's meeting began at 2:30 p.m. and broke off after a little more than an hour, considerably shorter than the marathon five and a half hour session both parties held on Friday.
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"Despite our hopes that today's bargaining session would be highlighted by a much awaited salary proposal by the SAEA, no such proposal was presented by the union," said Jeffrey Sultanik, the district's chief negotiator.
"During the one hour session, the Souderton school board did make concessions on its proposal for in-service days and parent conference days, and the teachers union did not respond to that proposal," he said.
Lukridge stated after talks broke off that "the hangup is still between salary and medical" benefits, but Sultanik painted a different picture of Monday's talks.
"The teachers union continues to insist that the school board agree to a health insurance plan which will cost the district $1.9 million more per year than the school board's plan, before the union is willing to discuss changes to its salary proposal," Sultanik said.
The SAEA has been on strike and picketing outside district schools since Sept 2, which would have been the first day of school for the Souderton Area School District.
"Despite what the union has been communicating to the public, the union leadership has not made a single counterproposal to the salary plan the board submitted on Sept. 1," Sultanik said.
Monday marked the third face to face meeting between the two parties since the strike began.
"Half of the month has passed since then, and we've had the equivalent of a 10 or 11 day work stoppage, while the union steadfastly refuses to change its salary proposal without imposing preconditions," Sultanik said.
State mediator Jill Leeds Rivera last week scheduled another negotiation session for Friday morning at 10:30 a.m., which both parties confirmed Monday is still on as scheduled.
posted by Online editor at
12:13 PM
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