The Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board released their fact-finder’s report that analyzed the positions of the both the Neshaminy School District and the Neshaminy Educational Support Professionals Association (NESPA).
Credit:Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
The 21-page report compiled by a state appointed fact- finder was put together through interviews conducted with the district’s support staff union in July.
Advertisements
The report was presented to the school board last week. The board did not approve the fact-finding, which would have become the new support staff contract if both sides accepted the findings.
Fact-finder John M. Skonier wrote in the report he understands Neshaminy’s “allure” with outsourcing support positions but said he couldn’t “conclude if the steps were necessary.” He added the district does not appear to be in “immediate financial distress.”
The report says the district has requested bids to outsource certain support positions in an effort to save money.
Advertisements
According to the report, the district would like to turn 50 full-time support staff members into part-time employees without benefits. The move would save the district $600,000.
If the report was approved, it would have allowed the district to outsource dining room, playground aide and cleaner positions right away. Skonier wrote that Neshaminy should not outsource food service staff until July 1. 2016. The document goes over many other issues, including insurance and paid holidays. The report states the district and the 500-member NESPA have worked together in the past to come to resolutions. NESPA’s most recent contract ended on June 30. School Board President Scott Congdon said at the most recent school board meeting the report was rejected because the district did not agree with some of the findings. However, Congdon did say parts of the report were “very encouraging.” NESPA members rejected the findings of the report recently, union members told LevittownNow.com. NESPA members are worried their jobs could be outsourced by the district as it looks to reign in costs over the next several years. More than 100 NESPA members came to a school board meeting in June and petitioned for their jobs. NESPA President Mindy Andersen said at a board meeting in June that 80 percent of the district’s support staff live in the district and the average salary is $28,000. The district and NESPA plan to go back to the bargaining table to try to come to terms on a new contract.
