NFT, NSB Make Progress by Agreeing on 12 Items

The Neshaminy Federation of Teacheres and Neshaminy School Board were able to make progress in their 48th negotiation session Wednesday night.

The school board submitted a new proposal to the NFT regarding the 12 items from the arbitrator's award that both sides had previously agreed on. Both sides were able to reach a tentative agreement on these items, board President Ritchie Webb said.

NFT President Louise Boyd said that both sides spent about an hour reviewing these items, which she referred to as "minor issues" and a "waste of the NFT's time" since she said the board originally rejected the arbitrator's award.

In additon, the school board proposed a new prescription plan of 5/25/30, which Webb said would lower the cost employees pay for their prescriptions. The board's previous proposal was 5/30/50 plan and the NFT had proposed 10/25/30.

According to Webb, the board had previously agreed to a customized health plan that the NFT chose, which was contingent upon the NFT contributing 15 percent toward health care premiums.

"The long-awaited health care proposal was little more than a rehash ofthe same uncompromising demand that the board’s high paid lawyer has been demanding for five years," Boyd said

However, Webb said that this proposal was "a major concession on the part of the board," which became a moot point when the NFT countered with an 8 percent contribution on ratification, and 8 percent, 8.5 percent, 9 percent in subsequent years, all fixed rates.

This counter from the NFT, Boyd said, was a "significant health care concession."

The board needs a day to consider the union's proposal, Boyd said.

The NFT also made it known that their proposal for retro pay and retirement benefits has not changed, Webb said.

"The parties never met face-to-face, and remain very far apart on all financial issues," he stated.

The next meeting is August 30, 2012 at 6 p.m.