Is the Neshaminy School Board Really Ready to Withdraw Their Latest Offer?
NFT members have offered significant economic concessions on key items that the Neshaminy School Board identified as essential for reaching a settlement. In fact, we have offered massive concessions on all the economic concerns the board originally brought to the table—retirement costs, health care coverage costs, retroactive pay, and experience credit. If the parties can reach an agreement, the concessions offered by teachers for the duration of the proposed contract would include the following:
· Insurance plan modifications with member premium share contributions
of 11%, 14% and 16% ($5.48 million savings)
of 11%, 14% and 16% ($5.48 million savings)
· Elimination of retiree healthcare and incentives ($3.42 million savings)
· Reduction of healthcare opt-out percentage ($2.84 million savings)
· Elimination of longevity pay for all but 30+ years at reduced amount
($1.44 million savings)
($1.44 million savings)
· Reduction of life insurance ($0.10 million savings)
· Prorated benefits for partial contract employees ($0.65 million savings)
· Elimination of stipends for 10 and 10.5 employees ($0.87 million savings)
· Agreed to work additional hours: an extra half-hour each day and an additional half-day--the equivalent of 13 more teacher work days in the school year ($12.4 million in services)
The Board’s offer based on the Council Rock salary schedule is equivalent to $14.3 million. The NFT’s concessions are equivalent to $14.8 million (not to mention agreeing to provide an additional $12.4 million in educational services). Therefore, a potential settlement would be entirely funded through NFT membership concessions.
At this point, the Board has threatened to pull its most current offer –a move that will put negotiations back to square one after months of hard work and progress. Our students and this community are counting on us. We urge the Board to return to the table and continue working with us to resolve the remaining contract issues.
