UPPER DUBLIN After nearly a year of unsuccessful contract
negotiations with the support staff union, the Upper Dublin school board has
turned to a neutral fact-finder.
Negotiations between the district and the Upper Dublin
Education Support Personnel Association, which represents about 180 bus
drivers, custodians, secretaries, and other support staff, began in January six
months before their contract was to expire.
In a news release, board president Art Levinowitz said
that, faced with an ongoing budget deficit, the board would consider
outsourcing some support positions unless the new contract contains some cost
savings for the district.
As of Dec. 16, the two sides were at or near an impasse,
and the district asked the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board to intervene.
Arbitrator John Skonier is reviewing the written case and
will hear arguments Jan. 13, said Mark Fitzgerald, an attorney for the
district.
The fact-finding report is due Jan. 26. Both sides would
then decide whether to adopt the recommendations or return to the negotiating
table.
A similar process played out with the Upper Dublin
teachers' union over the summer. In July, the district accepted a state
fact-finder's recommendations, but the teachers rejected it. That contract,
which also expired in June, has still not been resolved, Fitzgerald said.
Source: Philly.com
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