Neshaminy Teachers Declare a Strike; Board Suspends Further Negotiations

Friday afternoon, Neshaminy School District Superintendent Louis Muenker received a notification from the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers that the district teachers will go on strike beginning Monday, January 9.

NFT President Louise Boyd held a press conference to announce the strike, which she said is a result of the school board's refusal to compromise.

"We've done everything possible to avoid this action, but the school board has left us no choice," Boyd said, noting that teachers have "endured" nearly four years of negotations and salary freezes.

"The strike could have easily been averted if the board had negotiated with good will and in good faith. They haven't," she said. Boyd added that as teachers have more closer to middle ground, the board has moved farther away.

"It's become clear to us that this is not a board that is committed to reaching an agreement," Boyd stated.

"Let me add that there is not a single teacher in Neshaminy who wants to be out on a picket line on Monday -- not if we had any other choice. We want to be in our classrooms teaching. Sadly, a strike is the only way left to persuade the board to come together with us to reach a compromise," she said.

"The key to settling this impasse is not to deny our children their education. The answer lies in understanding the economic times in which we live in and having the willingness to negotiate an affordable contract," school board President Rtichie Webb said in a subsequent press conference.

"We will not tolerate any behavior which exploits our students," he continued.

"For now, I have notified our attorney Mr. Sweet to immediately suspend any further negotiations with the NFT," Webb said, and added that he urges members of the community to stand with the board and call the NFT headquarters to "demand that they end this strike immediately and return to the bargaining table willing to negotiate an afforable contract."

"We don't believe that we should reward the teachers for going out on strike. We don't believe that is fair on their part. And so it is felt that to negotiate with them with this hammer hanging over our head would not be a smart move on our part," Webb said of suspending negotiations.

Since the union just notified the district of the strike this afternoon, the Department of Education has not yet informed the district how long legally the teachers can remain on strike. According to Boyd, the teachers plan to strike in accordance with the law.

Webb said that six elementary schools will be open on Monday for day care service, which will be offered for a small fee. The day care will be run by members of the Neshaminy Kids Club.