Bensalem Teachers Vote To Authorize Strike: Report

BENSALEM, PA — Bensalem Township School District teachers and other educators have voted to authorize union leaders to call for a strike if they deem it necessary in long-running contract talks.

The Intelligencer reports that union leaders are hoping a recent counter-proposal to the school district will lead to a new contract and that a strike won't be necessary.

Teachers in the 445-member union have been working for more than 18 months under the terms of a contract that expired in 2017. Bensalem Township Education Association President Charles Morantz told the paper members are "hoping for the best while preparing for the worst."

In January, the Bensalem school board voted for the second time to turn down a compromise contract proposal from the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. The union has twice voted to accept the compromise.

The report suggested an array of bonuses for teachers, as well as step and column-salary increases that the school board said would cost an additional $5.3 million per year. In a statement at the time, the school board jointly said the district cannot afford that.

Another negotiation session between the two sides is scheduled for March 20, Morantz told the Intelligencer.

To read the full Intelligencer report, click here.