Board president comments on teachers' strike

Neshaminy School Board President, Ritchie Webb, issued the following statement in reaction to the strike declaration made today by the Neshaminy Federation of teachers:

“Earlier today, the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers (NFT) declared a strike beginning on Monday, January 9th.

By instituting a job action aimed at our children and their parents, the NFT’s actions are inflicting financial harm and inconvenience to families in our district. As school board president, I am also concerned that our teachers are causing irreparable harm to their reputation within the Neshaminy community.

Most of the issues in our contract dispute with the NFT concern money, but a strike won’t put a single dime into our coffers. The key to settling this impasse is not to deny our children their education. The answer lies in understanding the economic times in which we live, and having the willingness to negotiate an affordable contract.

The Neshaminy School Board will continue to negotiate in good faith with the NFT, however we will not tolerate any behavior which exploits our students. For now I have notified our attorney, Mr. Sweet, to immediately suspend any further negotiations with the NFT.

I urge all members of the Neshaminy community to stand with us during this difficult time. I ask that you call NFT headquarters to demand they end this strike immediately, and return to the bargaining table willing to negotiate an affordable contract.

The NFT’s phone number is 215-547-2001.”
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STRIKE!

Yes folks, believe it or not the NFT has once again raised the stakes in this high tension game of contract negotiations. Perpetrating a work-to-contract action against your children is no longer enough, so now Neshaminy's teachers are depriving children of their education by instituting a strike effective on Monday.

Make no mistake about it, this job action is aimed directly at YOU! But now is an opportunity for this community to draw a line in the sand. We can no longer remain quiet while the school board fights the battle to save our children's educational programs. It's time to stand up and vocally support our school board.

The school board is asking community members to call the NFT headquarters at 215-547-2001 demanding they end this strike immediately, and settle on an affordable contract.

Here is an announcement that was posted on the school board's website just a short time ago . . .

The Nesaminy Federation of Teachers (NFT) announced today that our teachers will be striking effective Monday, January 9th.

Please visit the school district website at http://www.neshaminy.k12.pa.us for important updates.

We urge every member of our community to contact NFT Headquarters at 215-547-2001 and demand that teachers immediately end this job action aimed at our children, and return to the bargaining table ready to negotiate an affordable contract.

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