Wayne Teachers To Walk Out Following Drop In Take-Home Pay

WAYNE, NJ — Teachers will walk out of every school in the district Wednesday in protest of reductions of their take-home pay.

Members of the Wayne Education Association will walk out after the end of school to call attention to more of their paychecks going to fund their medical benefits.

Union members claim that a 2011 law requiring the increases has caused them to make less than they did, four, five, or six years ago.

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"It is unsustainable for these dedicated employees and will create a teaching shortage crisis that will be unprecedented," said WEA President Eda Ferrante. "It is a disservice to our teachers as well as the children of the district."

Former Gov. Chris Christie introduced the then-2011 legislation, now known colloquially as Chapter 78. WEA members rallied outside of every township school weekly in January regarding Chapter 78.

The issue of healthcare coverage has been a sticking point in several North Jersey districts, including Bridgewater, Raritan, and Ridgewood.

According to Donna Reaver, chairperson of the WEA's Education Action Committee, teachers are "leaving the profession and those remaining are taking second and third jobs to make ends meet."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com