from the bcct
District offers teachers cost-savings option
By: RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times
NESHAMINY
Negotiations are scheduled to resume Aug. 12.
During talks Wednesday night, the Neshaminy school board offered the teachers union a $1.3 million cost-savings option that would not impact employees by self-insuring the district's prescription plans, officials said Thursday.
Neshaminy's insurance broker estimates that would reduce the district's costs by $1.3 million next year, with similar savings the following years, school board members said.
The district needs the consent of the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers to put the option into effect. The board noted there was little reaction or comment from the teachers union in regards to employees contributing towards health care premiums at the session.
The federation offered no counter proposals, but another negotiation session has been scheduled for Aug. 12, according to a statement the school board posted on the district's website.
The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching teacher union President Louise Boyd for comment Thursday.
The teachers have been working without a new deal since June 2008. The union reportedly canceled a June 30 bargaining session with the board asking for more time to prepare.
The board has offered an annual 3 percent salary increase, which includes steps, and a requirement that employees pay 15 percent, 16 percent and 17 percent toward health care premiums over three years. The board claims the union's proposal remains unchanged, with a request for a total 6 percent annual salary hike, which includes steps, and a requirement for no change to the medical insurance package, according to administrators. Boyd has denied those claims but hasn't revealed the union's offer.
July 23, 2010 02:11 AM
