Teachers Start 'Work Action' Over Lack Of Contract In Parsippany

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Parsippany teachers and the Board of Education are locked in heated contract negotiations, with teachers initiating a "work action" in protest.

In response to the lack of a contract, members of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Teachers Association have announced they will stop working outside of their contract hours, something known as a work action. This affects things like unpaid club advisors, and after and before school help. Coaching, which is a paid position, is not affected.

"Our teachers are not willing to divert time from their own families for voluntary and/or uncompensated work as long as they continue to realize less real income year after year," the PTHEA said in a statement.

"They will perform all the functions required of them during class, duty, and contracted meeting times. The professional dedication that you have come to expect from the Parsippany education professionals will remain unchanged, and the level of instruction, coaching, counseling, and care that Parsippany schools are known for will not be curtailed," they wrote.

The heart of the matter is health insurance premiums. All New Jersey teachers are required by law to pay into their insurance premiums under Chapter 78. According to the Board, teachers would see "significant Chapter 78 relief" if they enrolled in a health plan that "is already in effect in the District and in which many of the Association’s members are currently enrolled." Teachers who choose a more expensive health plan would receive less Chapter 78 relief, the Board says.

According to the PTHEA, the Board's suggestions are lose-lose. Teachers enrolling in the less expensive plan would see increased out-of-pocket health costs, creating an effective reduction in take home pay, while teachers in the more expensive plan would actually receive smaller paychecks, the PTHEA said.

"It is another offer to work for less money masquerading as generosity," the statement, signed by all PTHEA members, read.

"The Board’s last proposal fairly addressed both the interests of our valued teachers and our responsibility to the District’s fiscal integrity and the taxpayers of Parsippany. It is unfortunate that the Association has chosen to reject outright that offer," the Board said

The sides have been in negotiations since late January, and the contract expired at the end of June. Teachers will continue to work under the terms of the old contract until a new one is reached.

The PTHEA represents 750 teachers across 14 schools.

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