Franklin Lakes Teachers Picket Not Having New Contract Since '17

FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ — Dozens of local teachers picketed at township schools Tuesday in protest of working for more than a year without a new contract.

Association members picketed at every school, carrying homemade signs to gain the attention and support of parents and the community.

The Franklin Lakes Education Association and Board have been at odds for more than a year while negotiations have dragged on between them. The union's contact with the district expired in July 2017.

Association President Sharon Milano said some members are making less than what they were paid in 2009 because health care costs continue to increase, wages have remained stagnant, and the high cost of living in Bergen County.

Health care costs continue to be a sticking point for union members. Medical insurance contributions have outpaced any salary increases the union would have received. Contributions are based on how much members earn. The more someone makes, the more they contribute.

"We’re looking for a more reasonable contribution rate. We’re talking about teachers who have been teaching for quite a while are working two to three jobs just to make ends meet," Milano said. "We’re looking to get what other towns have received."

The board and union have met twice with a state-appointed fact finder and several times with a mediator to try and settle the dispute. Another meeting with the fact-finder is scheduled for December.

The Board of Education has proposed pooling funds for relief to union members as allowed by the state's pension and health care reform law.

The proposals provide "significant" relief, according to the Board of Education, but the union "refuses to negotiate unless the Board agrees to a different form" of relief.

Negotiation sessions with the mediator ended over the issue and union membership would not meet with the Board over the summer unless officials would first commit to a "cap" on contributions to health care and pensions, the Board said earlier this month.

The proposed pool would begin at $77,000, which is the amount of additional funding that would be needed if staff contributions were capped at 26 percent. The pool would increase by half of the rate of any health care insurance premium increases. The money would be used to offset excess contributions.

As an alternative to the pool, the Board proposed capping staff insurance contributions to 30 percent of premiums, raising salaries, eliminating longevity payments, and allowing for more time to professional development and faculty meetings.

"The Board believes these proposals are fair and reasonable for [union] members and for the district," officials said. "The Board is open to compromise, and remains willing to meet with the Franklin Lakes Education Association at any time."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Teachers picket outside of Franklin Avenue Middle School Tuesday morning.