Teachers Protest Lack of New Contract Outside Mendham High School

Now that the pomp and circumstance of the new school year has settled, it’s back to business in the classroom.

That also means teachers at West Morris Mendham High School are keeping their extracurricular efforts focused on standing up for a contract they find reasonable, as they enter the third consecutive school year without a new agreement.

Dozens of teachers could be found protesting outside the school building on the morning of Friday, Sept. 18, just days after the Board of Education announced both sides would be meeting with a super conciliator, another arbitrator to help both sides come to terms.

An independent fact-finder was appointed to the negotiations earlier this year – after being agreed upon by both sides – and presented his data to both sides in June. Per contract negotiations guidelines, both the board and teacher’s association had 20 days to accept or deny the findings.

The board, in a special meeting, voted unanimously to approve the findings. The teacher’s association and its more than 200 members held a vote, which resulted in a no to the findings. The number of teachers who voted yes or no was not disclosed.

The negotiations process began more than two years ago, ahead of the union’s contract expiration.

The full report composed over several months by the arbitrator, which can be found online here, analyzes starting salary in the district, annual raises over a three-year period, and cost for prescription medicines as its most major components.

The fact finder’s synopsis, which can also be seen here, shows three significant recommendations, including:

Salary increases:

• A 2.25% salary increase for the 2013-14 year (county average was 2.05%)
• A 2.35% salary increase for the 2014-15 year (county average was 2.16%)
• A 2.45% salary increase for the 2015-16 year (county average was 2.22%)
• A 2.40% salary increase for the 2016-17 year (proposed by arbitrator, but a fourth year was not included in either the board’s or the union’s proposals)

Slight increase in prescription co-pay
Increase of a starting salary from $47,535 to $50,170

According to the report, in the final year of the current contract, 2012-13, the West Morris Regional Education Association ranked highest in Morris County for average salary.

The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 21.