TESD, Teachers Contract Negotiations Entering Fact Finding Stage

TREDYFFRIN-EASTTOWN, PA – As contract discussions continue between the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District (TESD) and the Tredyffrin/Easttown Education Association (TEEA), the parties are about to enter a fact-finding phase in hopes of reaching an agreement, according to the district.

Fact finding entails a neutral third party assigned by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board to examine the positions of both parties and to make recommendations in the hopes of finding a solution to the contract impasse, the district said.

Contract negotiations have been ongoing since January 2017, the district said.

The appointed fact finder will have 40 days to create a report with contract recommendations based on both parties demands.

Once the report is issued the TESD and TEEA have 10 days to either accept or reject the report. The report must be accepted in full by both parties or not at all.

If the report is rejected by one or both parties, it will be made public.

Should the board and union agree on the report, it will become a binding document and can be used as a guidelines for further negotiations.

The district said teachers will not be able to strike during the face finding period. However, should the district and union fail to agree on a contract after the report is issued, the union has the ability to strike, the district said. Should a strike come, the union must let the district know at least 48 hours in advance.

Image via Tredyffrin/Easttown School District