Matawan Teachers Protest Contract Stalemate at Board of Education Meeting [VIDEO]

Carrying signs that read, "Working every day for your children," "Negotiate not stalement," and "Dignity will not be negotiated," about 200 Matawan teachers and their families marched in a slow circle around the front parking lot of Matawan Aberdeen Middle School Tuesday night before the Board of Education's regular action meeting.

The teachers were protesting in order to raise awareness that their contracts expired in 2010 and that a new contract has yet to be settled on between the Matawan Regional Teacher's Association (MRTA) and the board, according to Carl Kosmyna, the President of MRTA.

"We were outside picketing to show the community we're dedicated to getting a settlement," said Kosmyna.

The MRTA represents Matawan Aberdeen Regional School District teachers, instructor's assistants, clerical staff, bus drivers and maintanence staff.

At the start of the meeting, teachers filed into the middle school's cafeteria. The large crowd of parents, teachers and students present at the meeting occupied the 200 available seats and all of the available standing room.

According to Board of Education President Charles Kenny, the MRTA contract expired in June of 2010. Since negotiations began that summer, the board and the MRTA have been unable to reach an agreement and jointly filed for an impasse on Sept. 28, 2010.

"The board continues to negotiate in good faith to resolve the contract," Kenny said at the meeting.

The board sent a letter home to district parents on Oct. 28 updating them on the status of the MRTA negotiations. It states that even though the contract has expired, teachers are not working without a contract because by NJ State Law they are still entitled to the terms and conditions of the previous contract until a new one can be negotiated.

The letter explains that impasse is reached when negotiation is no longer possible because neither party will deviate from their respective position and by law a neutral mediator is assigned to help the parties reach a settlement.

According to Kosmyna, district teachers have not seen a raise in the past two years, however they have seen an increase in the amount they have to contribute to their health care benefits and pension.

"The major issue in any negotiation settlement is money," Kosmyna said, although he could not discuss the specifics of the contract. "Unfortunately progress has been very slow."

Four mediations have been held so far and the next mediation will be on Nov. 15. Both sides have said they hope an agreement can be achieved at this meeting.