Contract Talks Resuming Between Teachers, Board In Washington

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Contract talks are set to resume between teachers and the Board of Education in Long Valley, the Observer-Tribune reported.

The two sides will sit down in early October to try and come up with a new contract. Like many other districts locked in contract negotiations, the two sides cannot agree on contributions to healthcare plans under Chapter 78.

The Board issued a statement in mid-June saying that the two sides would begin meeting with a fact finder to begin mediation. Fact finding is a step typically taken when negotiations stall between two parties. The fact finder is an impartial third party who will take a look at the situation and make a non-binding recommendation.

Teachers have been working without a contract since July 2, 2017. They have continued working under the terms of the old contract until a new one can be agreed upon.

Some sticking points are healthcare contributions, raises, the waiver amount paid to employees who don't take insurance, and the addition of another non-instructional day. (You can read the Board's full statement here.) The Board has said teachers must pay more into their healthcare to continue providing educational programs, while the teachers union has said it's not fair to expect them to take home less pay for the same work.

This is not the first time the two sides have had a hard time settling on a contract. The previous contract took over a year to negotiate.

• Read More: New Washington Twp. Teacher Contract Has Three Years of 2.5% Pay Raises

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