The NFT's new math

According to today's Courier Times article, NFT President Louise Boyd insists the union's proposals offer "substantial savings," and she adds that the teachers are "growing somewhat impatient" with the Board's "take it or leave it" approach.

One problem - there is NO NET SAVINGS to the district in any of the NFT's offers. And yes, we have a take it or leave it mentality here . . . We will not cut vital student programs to subsidize a new contract. Our students our not negotiable.

The Board will soon release an analysis of the insurance details from last Tuesday's negotiation meeting which will once again show the NFT's proposals only drive costs higher during these difficult economic times.

Here is the Courier Times article in its entirety:

Teachers to meet tonight over contract

Discussions could include going back to working to the contract and/or voting to authorize a strike.

A "rally and informational meeting" of the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers will convene tonight and could include discussions of going back to working to the contract and/or voting to authorize a strike, according to union President Louise Boyd.

That doesn't mean the union will strike, but it would give Boyd the authority to call a strike.
The rally - which isn't open to the public - will go on as scheduled despite a canceled appearance by the leader of the American Federation of Teachers, according to various officials.

AFT President Randi Weingarten was supposed to speak at the 7:30 p.m. meeting at Carl Sandburg Middle School, but an AFT spokeswoman said the speech was canceled due to a scheduling conflict.

According to union spokeswoman Janet Bass, there is a chance that Weingarten will send a personal message to the more than 600 NFT members who have been embroiled in a labor contract dispute with the school district since 2008. Bass noted Weingarten will "definitely be there in spirit."

"Trying to make informed negotiations didn't work," said Boyd. "We're growing somewhat impatient. Somehow, we have to get this thing started. We need the board to come towards the middle and they just haven't. It still is take it or leave it. They have taken (none of their 56 items) off the table, nothing. The teachers are together on this. We believe there's huge support from them and other certified staff."

Boyd said the union has made two offers. The second one includes a significant reduction in their health insurance plan that would provide substantial savings, she said, adding that the teachers also pulled off the table topics like class size.

"We have been trying to do this at the table to the best of our ability without affecting anyone in the community, but we do have to have a real serious conversation tomorrow night and the teachers are ready for that," said Boyd.

District officials said the teachers union has the ability to hold private meetings at school district facilities as provided in the union's last, expired contract, which both sides continue to honor.

Charles Alfonso, a Neshaminy parent who has been a frequent public critic of teachers unions, said he plans to stand outside the meeting and voice his opinions.

Alfonso said it is more important than ever to get involved in the Neshaminy contract impasse, with the current situation unfolding in Wisconsin. Thousands there have gathered to express opposition or support for the governor's proposed Budget Repair Bill, which calls for restrictions on unions' collective bargaining rules.

"I am not about to let (the NFT) have the spotlight and make it appear they don't have any opposition here," Alfonso said Monday. He vowed to arrive outside the meeting site around 6 p.m. "Even if it's just me, standing outside with a sign, I'll be there to show the media where we stand," he said.

Alfonso called the debate generated by the contract dispute a "wildfire that has spread across the Neshaminy Prairie" and "has become an inferno across the country," with the Wisconsin situation.

"It's all related," he said, adding that he supports Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's bill. "The issues are the same."

The issues in Wisconsin have escalated to the point where 14 Democratic state senators left the state to prevent a needed quorum to pass Walker's bill, which critics say is more about breaking the unions than fixing a state budget. In addition to changing collective bargaining rules, the bill would mandate increased union contributions to pensions and health insurance plans.

The Neshaminy union's most recent offer to the school board is a five-year deal that includes 2.75 percent annual salary increases for the first two years, a 3 percent increase in the third and fourth years, and a 3.5 percent increase in the final year. That would be in addition to about 2 percent stepped increases for longevity and educational credits, district administrators said.

The proposed contract would be retroactive to July 1, 2008, and end June 30, 2013, with teachers not contributing to health insurance premiums. School board members have said the district doesn't have the money to pay for retroactive pay raises.

The district's latest counteroffer was for a one-year contract, which included a 1 percent annual raise, plus an average of 2 percent in step salary increases. That offer also would require teachers to contribute 17 percent toward their health care premiums, and work three extra nights to ensure attendance at back-to-school nights, officials said.

Board President Ritchie Webb said Monday the school board respects the union and the contract dispute is purely "an economic issue."

"We are not anti-union in any way," he added. "This is about what we can and can't afford."

Christian Menno can be reached at 215-269-5081 or cmenno@phillyBurbs.com. Follow Christian on Twitter at Twitter.com/cmenno_courier. Rachel Canelli can be reached at 215-949-4191 or rcanelli@phillyburbs.com. Follow Rachel on Twitter at Twitter.com/buzz_in_bucks.

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