Hillsborough Teachers, Staff To Rally For Contract Settlement

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The Hillsborough Education Association needs your support. They are planning another Blue Shirt Mediation Rally on Wednesday, Aug. 31 to help get a fair and equitable contract for Hillsborough teachers and staff.

If a resolution is not made at this meeting, beginning Sept. 1, teachers and school staff will be working without a contract.

The group will be rallying at 5 p.m. outside the BOE office to show support to the team and send a message to the Board Of Education that they remain united.

This will be the second mediation session between the HEA and the Hillsborough Board of Education. The first session was held on July 14 where a rally was also held.

"The outcome from the last session is we are in the same spot as we were," said Elena Maucere, HEA's Second Vice President and also a Hillsborough High School Spanish teacher. "For members this rally is a great opportunity to stand behind the negotiation team."

Both the HEA and HBOE entered into negotiations in January. However, after five months of meetings an impasse was declared.

The HEA claims the board is "unwilling to offer a fair and equitable contract" and is specifically looking to get a competitive salary and a reasonable contribution towards health benefits for its members.

"The association is NOT seeking to eliminate contributions towards their health benefits, but they are fighting for a fairer and more reasonable amount to contribute, much like the 31 other locals throughout the state that have already bargained this," the HEA posted on its Facebook page.

The group has more than 1,000 members that are made up of teachers, nurses, librarians, social workers, school psychologists, learning disability specialists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, office personnel, athletic trainers, instructional assistants, coaches, accounting clerks, custodians, maintenance personnel, pupil transportation drivers, transportation aides, mechanics, guidance counselors, student assistant counselors, lunch aides, speech language specialists, head bookkeeper, clerical assistants, district behaviorists, and high school parking lot attendants.

"The members of the Hillsborough Education Association are the ones who directly provide that superior education and believe that their members deserve a fair and equitable contract," the HEA stated. "For the past three years, our members have seen their workload increase, their class sizes increase, and their take home pay decrease. Despite all this, the members of the Hillsborough Education Association have continued to dedicate themselves to the children of Hillsborough. Unfortunately, the Board of Education is not willing to reward that hard work and dedication with a fair and equitable contract."

Water and Rita's ice will be provided for those who come out to support the rally. Supporters are asked to bring snacks, picnic blankets and chairs.

The rally will be held at the Hillsborough Board of Education Office, 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough Township. The mediation session is not open to the public.

For more information about the rally CLICK HERE or email Elena Maucere at laneyelena23@gmail.com.

(Image via Hillsborough Education Association)

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