Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Support Staff Negotiations
The Board and Neshaminy Educational Support Professional Association (NESPA) met at a negotiating session on Aug 26, 2009; the prior contract expired on July 1, 2009. The discussion focused primarily on health benefits. Another meeting is scheduled for September 17, 2009.
Administrative Support and Confidential Secretaries Agreements
The Board unanimously approved new contracts with the Neshaminy Administrative Support Association (NASA) and the District's Confidential Secretaries at a public meeting held on August 25, 2009. The new contracts, which cover 13 administrative support members and 8 secretaries, are three-year agreements that run through June 30, 2012.
Both contracts are similar to the prior agreement reached with the District's Administrators Association (NSDAA), entailing annual raises of three percent, base health coverage under Blue Cross PC 20/30/70, employee contributions to medical and drug premiums of 15%, 16% and 17% over three years, and elimination of retirement incentive programs.
The Board thanks both NASA and the Confidential Secretaries for their willingness to work with the Board's negotiators to help address the very difficult financial circumstances faced by the District.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Negotiations Update
The Board and Neshaminy Federation of Teachers (NFT) met at a negotiating session on Aug 19, 2009 with a newly appointed State mediator. No progress was made on any outstanding issues.
The Board’s offer – major components of which include an average 3% salary increase for returning staff, enrollment in the Blue Cross Personal Choice 20-30-70 medical plan with employee contributions, and elimination of the retirement incentive – remains intact despite the fact that we are in the midst of the worst economic downturn in 75 years, rising unemployment, and unprecedented pressures on Neshaminy's budget which must fall within Act 1 guidelines.
The NFT’s proposal remains unchanged, calling for retroactive 6-7% annual salary increases, one of the most expensive medical and prescription drug plans in Southeastern Pennsylvania with zero employee contributions, and expanded retirement provisions that include a $30,000 cash payment plus free health care until age 65.
Already one of the highest paid staffs in the entire State, the Union’s proposal would raise the average salary from under $80,000 to over $93,000. Over three years, the estimated salary difference in the two proposals is well over $16 million.
After accounting for existing retirees, the difference in health care costs to the District between the two proposals is about $4 million this year and expected to grow.
No further talks are scheduled at this time.
The Board’s offer – major components of which include an average 3% salary increase for returning staff, enrollment in the Blue Cross Personal Choice 20-30-70 medical plan with employee contributions, and elimination of the retirement incentive – remains intact despite the fact that we are in the midst of the worst economic downturn in 75 years, rising unemployment, and unprecedented pressures on Neshaminy's budget which must fall within Act 1 guidelines.
The NFT’s proposal remains unchanged, calling for retroactive 6-7% annual salary increases, one of the most expensive medical and prescription drug plans in Southeastern Pennsylvania with zero employee contributions, and expanded retirement provisions that include a $30,000 cash payment plus free health care until age 65.
Already one of the highest paid staffs in the entire State, the Union’s proposal would raise the average salary from under $80,000 to over $93,000. Over three years, the estimated salary difference in the two proposals is well over $16 million.
After accounting for existing retirees, the difference in health care costs to the District between the two proposals is about $4 million this year and expected to grow.
No further talks are scheduled at this time.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Negotiations Update
In response to a written invitation from the Board of School Directors, the Board and Neshaminy Federation of Teachers met at a negotiating session on July 14, 2009. The Board presented a proposal that consolidates and clarifies all of its current offers regarding salaries, benefits and other issues.
Both sides agreed to meet again in the near future; a date has not yet been set.
Both sides agreed to meet again in the near future; a date has not yet been set.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Withdrawal of 2008-09 Salary Offer
The Neshaminy School Board has notified the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers (NFT) that all offers of salary increases to teachers for the 2008-09 school year, including salary step (increment) and horizontal column movement, are withdrawn. This means that teachers have effectively lost any salary increase at all for the current school year.
This is consistent with the position taken in writing by the Board negotiating committee since its first proposals were given to NFT on January 29, 2008, almost sixteen months ago, that any overall settlement would be effective only after it was ratified by both sides. No retroactivity of salary or any other contract provision has ever been offered by the Board.
The withdrawal of any salary increases for 2008-2009 modifies the written salary proposal that was made by the Board on April 14, 2008 and which, until now, has remained on the table without change. Further discussion of this and other unresolved issues will take place at the bargaining table.
This is consistent with the position taken in writing by the Board negotiating committee since its first proposals were given to NFT on January 29, 2008, almost sixteen months ago, that any overall settlement would be effective only after it was ratified by both sides. No retroactivity of salary or any other contract provision has ever been offered by the Board.
The withdrawal of any salary increases for 2008-2009 modifies the written salary proposal that was made by the Board on April 14, 2008 and which, until now, has remained on the table without change. Further discussion of this and other unresolved issues will take place at the bargaining table.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Administrators' Agreement
The Board unanimously approved a new contract with the Neshaminy School District Administrators Association (NSDAA) at the public Work Session held on April 14, 2009. The new contract, which covers 33 administrative staff members, is a three-year agreement that will take effect July 1. All of the provisions described in the Board's Press Release dated March 18, 2009 were incorporated into the agreement.
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