NFT On Strike: We Made Our Point; Teachers Return To Classrooms Friday

The Neshaminy Federation of Teachers said several factors prompted the decision for teachers to return to work Friday, . 

"We didn't bring this strike on the district. They brought upon it upon themselves," NFT representative Bob Schiers said. 

Unofficial news of the strike nearing an end came early Tuesday morning. Levittown Patch later confirmed with Schiers this was, in fact, the case.

"We're actually putting together official notice to the district in accordance with Act 88 to notify the school district," Schiers said on Tuesday. "Our intention is to return (on Friday)."

The main factor; the  in order to complete the school year in 180 days of required instruction by the June 15 deadline. After making the calculation, the PDE sent the information to both parties -- the school board and the NFT. 

"We would come off strike on the 19th and back to work on the 20th," Schiers said. 

Although the PDE makes the ultimate determination as to which date the teachers return, the NFT still has the opportunity to strike again during the current school year. For now, the NFT said it believes this strike accomplished a number of things. 

"First and foremost we believe we made our point," Schiers said. "The board has been totallly unwilling to negotiate in good faith and it came to a head in the strike."

Schiers goes on to say the NFT was "ready willing and able to engage in serious negotiations so much so, that we made an offer to sit down and negotiate 24/7 for seven days and anything unresolved to go to binding arbitrations." 

"What would've been a surprise; if the district accepted our offer to go to binding arbitration. Instead, they chose not to talk to us," Schiers said. 

Meanwhile, late Friday  explaining he expects the staff to return to work on Jan. 17. The NFT, however, remained on strike and both parties took to rallying support for their side on Monday. 

"They keep saying, 'No' (the school board)," Schiers said. "We've as much as said to them we can't get it done. You can't get it done, let's go to mediation."

Schiers points out that the strike is not about any one particular reason. 

"It's not all about money," Schiers said. 

Classroom size, having a "voice" in education decisions and dozens of other issues are all points of contention and, of the six offers proposed to the district, Schiers said all were rejected. Instead, Schiers contends the school board has "piled on more and more demands on their end."

READ: More information on the NFT's proposals

"As we've moved closer and closer to the middle, they've moved further away. It's been a very frustrating process," Schiers said. 

The Neshaminy community has had a strong reaction to the union and the teacher's strike -- feedback from many commenters on Levittown and Lower Southampton Patches present opposing views. . 

When asked about the NFT's response to the community, Schiers stressed the NFT's willingness to negotiate and said it has given back in six counter proposals to the board.

"So for the community to say we need to concede, it's either biased or misinformed (on their part)," Schiers said. 

The issue of health care is underscored.

"They've wanted us to contribute 15 percent. We've offered 8 percent," Schiers said.

According to Schiers, with 15 to 20 percent in sweeping changes to the NFT proposed health care plan (affecting co-pays, etc.), it would be a more "cost-effective health plan for the board to consider" and there is still a "total willingness on our (NFT) side to negotiation."

"As we're working, we'll be getting free health care benefits," Schiers said. "We're not paying our premiums -- it's counter-intuitive."

Schiers said it was not clear to the NFT on whether the talks scheduled for Jan. 26 would be honored. 

"Nothing's been resolved in four years," Schiers said. "It's status quo right now." 

On Tuesday, Lower Southampton Patch reached out to Neshaminy School Board President Ritchie Webb for response to the NFT's move. 

"The union did confirm with me that they will return on the 20th. Assuming the mediator and the union agree, we will meet on the 26th for a negotiation session," Webb said.