West Orange BOE Says New Offer To Teachers Has Salary Increases, Healthcare Changes

WEST ORANGE, NJ — More than a month after announcing a “tentative agreement” with the district’s teachers union for a new work agreement, the West Orange Board of Education is still trying to finalize a deal.

Contract negotiations between the West Orange Education Association (WOEA) - which represents the district’s teachers, paraprofessionals, administrative assistants, computer technicians and security officers – have been ongoing and contentious.

Board members released some details about their latest, five-year offer to the union this week, which includes a 13 percent salary increase divided among the WOEA’s members. The offer also includes changes to the healthcare plan that BOE members claim "represents a substantial improvement over current options."

See the details of the board’s latest offer to the WOEA here.

BOYCOTTS AND CONTRACT TALKS

The contract negotiations reached a bitter stalemate over the past year, with West Orange teachers launching a high-profile boycott of the district’s annual Back-To-School Night in September of 2016.

Teachers have been working without a contract in place for more than 600 days.

• See related article: West Orange Teachers, BOE Reach ‘Tentative’ Contract Agreement
• See related article: West Orange Superintendent Compares Union Talks to Sandy Hook Shooting

The continued contract struggles in West Orange come amidst severe staffing cuts due to a bare-bones budget for the 2017-18 year.

Earlier this month, the West Orange Board of Education approved a budget that will eliminate 21 full-time and two part-time paraprofessional positions from the district’s schools.

• See related article: Dozens Of West Orange Teachers, Staff May Lose Jobs

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Photo: westorangeea.org