Teachers passed their fourth tentative contract proposal at a union meeting held in South's auditorium this afternoon.
Bob Sherman, president of the NTU, said a voice vote was requested by the membership, and the contract passed, with a small number of teachers voting against it.
The school board has also approved the new teacher's contract with a vote of 7-0. The details of the contract have been released. The contract will now move on to the board of aldermen.
The contract is slated to go before the Board of Aldermen on April 8.
-- Nashua Telegraph
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Strike Averted!
The NTU has called off the strike. School will proceed as normal tomorrow.
From the NTU Website:
The NTU and Board of Education have reached a tentative agreement. Teachers will be meeting tomorrow to ratify at 4:00p.m. at Nashua High School South.
From the NTU Website:
The NTU and Board of Education have reached a tentative agreement. Teachers will be meeting tomorrow to ratify at 4:00p.m. at Nashua High School South.
The Board of Education is meeting tomorrow night to ratify.
The Mayor and Board of Alderman will be meeting next week to vote on the agreement. The Mayor has expressed support for the agreement.
"Crunch Time," Says Lobel
The mediator between the Nashua Teachers' Union and the Board of Education, Ira Lobel, just recently informed the press camped outside the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nashua that the negotiations are at "a delicate stage" and that "some serious things" still remain to be resolved.
Although both sides are well aware of the impending strike date, Lobel said that he couldn't promise that a resolution would come later on tonight.
The NTU has just posted an announcement asking all NTU Board of Directors members to call in immediately. Further details are not yet known.
Although both sides are well aware of the impending strike date, Lobel said that he couldn't promise that a resolution would come later on tonight.
The NTU has just posted an announcement asking all NTU Board of Directors members to call in immediately. Further details are not yet known.
No School, if Strike Occurs
Teacher Contract Negotiations are continuing today, Sunday, March 30. They may last throughout the day and night. At this time, we are continuing to hope for a settlement. Please continue to check our website and to access local media for updates.
IF, AND ONLY IF, the strike does take place, ALL Nashua Public Schools, Preschool and K‐12, will be closed on Monday, March 31, 2008. In this case, the Superintendent will make use of the Parent Link system and other media to notify parents that there is no school. This will be done in the same way in which school closings are announced for inclement weather.
IF, AND ONLY IF, the strike does take place, ALL Nashua Public Schools, Preschool and K‐12, will be closed on Monday, March 31, 2008. In this case, the Superintendent will make use of the Parent Link system and other media to notify parents that there is no school. This will be done in the same way in which school closings are announced for inclement weather.
- The 21st Century Program and Nashua Adult Learning Center Adventure Club will not be in session during the strike.
- All buildings will be staffed by building administrators.
- Buses will be available at the regularly scheduled times to transport students to Alvirne for CTE classes. Pick‐ups at NHS‐South and North will occur at 7:15 AM and 12:00 PM. Transportation back to each school will also be provided at the regular times.
- Students will have to provide their own transportation to and from their high school parking lots. Parking will be available for Nashua students who wish to drive to Alvirne during the strike.
- Special Education students currently transported to out-of-district schools will be transported as usual.
- Athletic practices, events, and all extracurricular activities will occur at the discretion of the coaches and advisors. Coaches and advisors are responsible for conveying information to the students, parents, principals, and in the case of athletics the Athletic Director.
- Field trips scheduled at the elementary and middle school level will not occur.
- The Nashua School District’s Adult Education, Drivers Education, and Community Enrichment Programs will continue to run on their regular schedule. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact 603‐589‐6416.
- Private schools in Nashua will operate as normal. These include: BG, Nashua Catholic, Clearway, Infant Jesus, St. Christopher’s, Nashua Christian, and the Nashua Children’s Home.
Christopher Hottel
Superintendent of Schools
Nashua School District
Superintendent of Schools
Nashua School District
Boards, Mayor meeting ends without decision.
The Mayor, aldermen, and school board members have ended their closed-door meeting without coming to a decision, despite a "full and frank" discussion.
Negotiations continue as school board members return to their separate negotiation room. Some aldermen also remain.
Neither side has expressed a prediction for an agreement to be reached tonight. However, the NTU has asked its Board of Directors to stay available for an emergency meeting. For the rest of the union, strike preparations are now underway.
Negotiations continue as school board members return to their separate negotiation room. Some aldermen also remain.
Neither side has expressed a prediction for an agreement to be reached tonight. However, the NTU has asked its Board of Directors to stay available for an emergency meeting. For the rest of the union, strike preparations are now underway.
Sunday Negotiations
Right now:
The BOA deemed that the meeting constitutes a "strategy or negotiations with respect to collective bargaining," which can be closed to the public under state law.
City counsel asserts that aldermen do not retain a "negotiation role" in this process, and should keep the meeting public.
The BOA has now closed the meeting to the public. The Mayor and over a dozen aldermen are present, as negotiations continue.
A moment ago:
The Board of Aldermen wants to meet in private to discuss any new contract proposals, but a city attorney has suggested that because this may violate the state's Freedom of Information law, any meeting would be required to be open to the public.
The teachers' union and the Board of Education's attorney disagree with this.
The BOA deemed that the meeting constitutes a "strategy or negotiations with respect to collective bargaining," which can be closed to the public under state law.
City counsel asserts that aldermen do not retain a "negotiation role" in this process, and should keep the meeting public.
The BOA has now closed the meeting to the public. The Mayor and over a dozen aldermen are present, as negotiations continue.
A moment ago:
The Board of Aldermen wants to meet in private to discuss any new contract proposals, but a city attorney has suggested that because this may violate the state's Freedom of Information law, any meeting would be required to be open to the public.
The teachers' union and the Board of Education's attorney disagree with this.
Students Voice Their Opinions About the Contract Situation
Last week, I wrote an article on what kids at South think of an impending strike. It was published in the Sunday Telegraph today with some suspiciously awkward typos. (FYI for anyone unfortunate enough to read it there: I don't know who "Steve Phyllis" is, but I do know Stevie Phillis is not a guy.)
Lately, it seems as though a different kind of March Madness has been on the minds of many students in Nashua — and it definitely has nothing to do with brackets.
As the situation between the teacher’s union and the city of Nashua continues to unfold, from vetoed contract proposals to negotiations and the date set for a teachers’ strike, students are as worried about what might happen as all of the parents, business owners, politicians, and taxpayers in our city.
To get a better idea of what exactly kids were thinking, I posed the following question to my friends and classmates: If the city doesn’t come to an agreement with the teachers, how do you think it’ll affect you?
The answers I received were all very different.
“I don’t think the Nashua community understands how much the students will be affected by a strike,” said senior Peter Shao. “A lot of parents are already thinking about transferring their kids to BG or other schools.”
Some students were outraged at the fact that substitutes may come in to teach if a settlement is not reached before March 31.
“There’s no point of my coming to school during a strike even if other people come to teach us,” said senior Korie Kilgore. “What am I going to learn from a substitute who may not be qualified to teach?”
Another problem that students reported is the question of AP exams in May.
“If the union and the city can’t come to an agreement fast enough, it’ll put a big strain on AP students, because most of us still need to learn material to get ready for the exams,” said junior Krista Spiedel.
“You can’t just expect kids to sit at home and prepare for AP exams on their own without the teachers,” said junior Sarah Swidler. “There’s no motivation.”
Students are also quick to point out how a failure in negotiations would affect school activities outside of the classroom, such as spring sports.
“Our lacrosse coach won’t coach us if the union and the city can’t reach an agreement,” said junior Liane Lippert. “Without her, we’ll most likely have to forfeit any games during the strike.”
For others, it would mean much more than just missing out on extracurricular activities.
“If we don’t have school for a prolonged period of time, Health Occupation students like me won’t get enough clinical hours to get their LNA,” said senior Ashley Wheeler. “For a lot of us, that’s how we plan to get through college.”
It’s no doubt that students are frustrated that the problem has been drawn out for so long, but most are willing to understand the situation from both points of view.
“I try not to look at this as something that’s ruining my high school experience,” said junior Stevie Phillis. “In the end, this is the teachers’ last resort.”
Seniors Teresa Scalzi, Jackie Teller, Megan Crooker and Joanne Dube came up with the idea to wear blue shirts to school to show support for the teachers on March 21. Since then, they've rescheduled another "Blue T-shirt Day" for March 31, after selling blue t-shirts on March 27 at all lunches for three dollars. (There's no profit, either – that's exactly how much the shirts cost at AC Moore.)
No matter what happens tomorrow or in the days that follow, all of the students I talked to are clearly unanimous about one thing; the situation needs to be resolved, and the sooner, the better.
Stay tuned to the blog for more updates as negotiations continue at the Crowne Plaza Hotel today.
--Mayesha
Lately, it seems as though a different kind of March Madness has been on the minds of many students in Nashua — and it definitely has nothing to do with brackets.
As the situation between the teacher’s union and the city of Nashua continues to unfold, from vetoed contract proposals to negotiations and the date set for a teachers’ strike, students are as worried about what might happen as all of the parents, business owners, politicians, and taxpayers in our city.
To get a better idea of what exactly kids were thinking, I posed the following question to my friends and classmates: If the city doesn’t come to an agreement with the teachers, how do you think it’ll affect you?
The answers I received were all very different.
“I don’t think the Nashua community understands how much the students will be affected by a strike,” said senior Peter Shao. “A lot of parents are already thinking about transferring their kids to BG or other schools.”
Some students were outraged at the fact that substitutes may come in to teach if a settlement is not reached before March 31.
“There’s no point of my coming to school during a strike even if other people come to teach us,” said senior Korie Kilgore. “What am I going to learn from a substitute who may not be qualified to teach?”
Another problem that students reported is the question of AP exams in May.
“If the union and the city can’t come to an agreement fast enough, it’ll put a big strain on AP students, because most of us still need to learn material to get ready for the exams,” said junior Krista Spiedel.
“You can’t just expect kids to sit at home and prepare for AP exams on their own without the teachers,” said junior Sarah Swidler. “There’s no motivation.”
Students are also quick to point out how a failure in negotiations would affect school activities outside of the classroom, such as spring sports.
“Our lacrosse coach won’t coach us if the union and the city can’t reach an agreement,” said junior Liane Lippert. “Without her, we’ll most likely have to forfeit any games during the strike.”
For others, it would mean much more than just missing out on extracurricular activities.
“If we don’t have school for a prolonged period of time, Health Occupation students like me won’t get enough clinical hours to get their LNA,” said senior Ashley Wheeler. “For a lot of us, that’s how we plan to get through college.”
It’s no doubt that students are frustrated that the problem has been drawn out for so long, but most are willing to understand the situation from both points of view.
“I try not to look at this as something that’s ruining my high school experience,” said junior Stevie Phillis. “In the end, this is the teachers’ last resort.”
Seniors Teresa Scalzi, Jackie Teller, Megan Crooker and Joanne Dube came up with the idea to wear blue shirts to school to show support for the teachers on March 21. Since then, they've rescheduled another "Blue T-shirt Day" for March 31, after selling blue t-shirts on March 27 at all lunches for three dollars. (There's no profit, either – that's exactly how much the shirts cost at AC Moore.)
No matter what happens tomorrow or in the days that follow, all of the students I talked to are clearly unanimous about one thing; the situation needs to be resolved, and the sooner, the better.
Stay tuned to the blog for more updates as negotiations continue at the Crowne Plaza Hotel today.
--Mayesha
Saturday, March 29, 2008
No Agreement, Talks Resume Sunday
After 10 hours of negotiations, school board members and union representatives are ending the day without a contract agreement.
Ira Lobel, a professional mediator from New York, said that he is asking the full board of education to meet at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at 9 a.m., and for representatives from the board of aldermen and Mayor Donnalee Lozeau to meet at 1 p.m. also at the hotel.
Lobel said that some "significant issues" still need to be resolved, but added that the hope remains that the a contract agreement can reached one day before teachers will go on strike.
"Hopefully we will have all the players here that will help us to that end," he said.
Lobel came into the negotiations Saturday having had no prior experience with the situation. He said that there remains issues that need to resolved.
"We are still talking," he said. "It's a difficult situation."
--From the Nashua Telegraph
Ira Lobel, a professional mediator from New York, said that he is asking the full board of education to meet at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at 9 a.m., and for representatives from the board of aldermen and Mayor Donnalee Lozeau to meet at 1 p.m. also at the hotel.
Lobel said that some "significant issues" still need to be resolved, but added that the hope remains that the a contract agreement can reached one day before teachers will go on strike.
"Hopefully we will have all the players here that will help us to that end," he said.
Lobel came into the negotiations Saturday having had no prior experience with the situation. He said that there remains issues that need to resolved.
"We are still talking," he said. "It's a difficult situation."
--From the Nashua Telegraph
Saturday Negotiations
Right now:
Negotiations have been going on since 11 a.m. this morning, with the NTU, the BOE, and mutually-agreed-upon conciliator Ira Lobel of New York.
A moment ago:
The NTU filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Superintendent Hottel and Mayor Lozeau, both of whom sent direct messages to teachers regarding contract matters, specifically the threat of dismissal and the use of an online salary calculator, respectively, thereby influencing negotiations without dealing directly through the union. This could be considered a violation of NH labor law.
A clarification:
The strike will be called off only if 1) the NTU and BOE negotiate successfully on a contract, AND 2) the BOA and Mayor indicate their willingness to sign off on it. More definitive action is impossible considering the closeness of the imposed deadline.
Weather Update:
With a forecast of Monday snow, NH is less than a foot of snow away from the snowiest winter on record.
Negotiations have been going on since 11 a.m. this morning, with the NTU, the BOE, and mutually-agreed-upon conciliator Ira Lobel of New York.
A moment ago:
The NTU filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Superintendent Hottel and Mayor Lozeau, both of whom sent direct messages to teachers regarding contract matters, specifically the threat of dismissal and the use of an online salary calculator, respectively, thereby influencing negotiations without dealing directly through the union. This could be considered a violation of NH labor law.
A clarification:
The strike will be called off only if 1) the NTU and BOE negotiate successfully on a contract, AND 2) the BOA and Mayor indicate their willingness to sign off on it. More definitive action is impossible considering the closeness of the imposed deadline.
Weather Update:
With a forecast of Monday snow, NH is less than a foot of snow away from the snowiest winter on record.
Friday, March 28, 2008
'We the Students' take a stand!
NHSS senior Korey O'Brien of South's morning show "It's Too Early!" has come through with an idea similar to Panther Prints' Community Coverage, except in video-form.
He has organized North and South HS video production students and set up "We the Students," which will be doing a thorough Strike Coverage with as much media footage, video interviews, updates, and student opinions as possible.
Panther Prints and We the Students want you to be heard, so be sure to share your thoughts on the latest news in Nashua.
He has organized North and South HS video production students and set up "We the Students," which will be doing a thorough Strike Coverage with as much media footage, video interviews, updates, and student opinions as possible.
Panther Prints and We the Students want you to be heard, so be sure to share your thoughts on the latest news in Nashua.
Sports in Jeopardy
If a strike occurs, Nashua coaches are expected to comply with any actions of the NTU; the NTU contract applies to them as well.
Non-contract (assistant) coaches and other volunteers may help keep teams running, especially since games missed due to a strike will most likely be forfeit, not re-scheduled.
This will affect 30 Spring coaches.
Non-contract (assistant) coaches and other volunteers may help keep teams running, especially since games missed due to a strike will most likely be forfeit, not re-scheduled.
This will affect 30 Spring coaches.
Super Says School Monday
Many of you have expressed concerns about a potential interruption of Nashua’s school system next week. As you are aware, the Nashua Board of Education and the Nashua Teachers’ Union are continuing to negotiate a contract for our teachers and school nurses. In fact, a negotiating session is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, March 29. There is uncertainty for you and for us because of the strike announced by the Nashua Teachers Union for Monday, March 31, 2008.
As Superintendent of Schools, I believe in the dedication of our teachers in Nashua. I believe that they want to be with their students. At this time, therefore, we are planning on our schools being open on Monday.
But I need to tell you that I will not place our students in a situation of conflict or danger, and therefore I may need to notify you on Monday that schools are closed. If that is the case, I will be utilizing Parent Link, the District's web site, www.nashua.edu, and media outlets early Monday morning to let you know if school is cancelled, just as I normally do when school is cancelled because of inclement weather.
I remain hopeful that a fair contract between the Nashua Board of Education and the Nashua Teachers Union can be negotiated this weekend to avoid the announced strike.
This is an ongoing situation and I want to thank you for your patience.
Christopher Hottel
Superintendent of Schools
Nashua School District
As Superintendent of Schools, I believe in the dedication of our teachers in Nashua. I believe that they want to be with their students. At this time, therefore, we are planning on our schools being open on Monday.
But I need to tell you that I will not place our students in a situation of conflict or danger, and therefore I may need to notify you on Monday that schools are closed. If that is the case, I will be utilizing Parent Link, the District's web site, www.nashua.edu, and media outlets early Monday morning to let you know if school is cancelled, just as I normally do when school is cancelled because of inclement weather.
I remain hopeful that a fair contract between the Nashua Board of Education and the Nashua Teachers Union can be negotiated this weekend to avoid the announced strike.
This is an ongoing situation and I want to thank you for your patience.
Christopher Hottel
Superintendent of Schools
Nashua School District
Strike News: No more School o' Substitutes
The Latest:
- Hottel has announced that schools will not try to run on substitute staff.
- At last count, under 400 substitutes, college students, admin, and parents had been recruited to act as substitutes.
- There may be an attempt to keep schools open for high school seniors, who need 175 days of school to graduate. With snow days adding up, additional no-school days could push back scheduled graduations.
- After two unsuccessful meetings this week, both sides will return to the negotiating table tomorrow with a conciliator.
- Today is the District's fifth snow day of '07-'08, along with numerous delayed openings and early dismissals.
The Likelihood of a Strike
Current Issue: Nashua Teachers Union (NTU) Strike.
The Basics:
The Basics:
- Nashua Teachers have been working without an updated contract since Sept. 2006.
- A contract must be agreed upon by the Union, then passed by the Board of Education (BOE), Board of Aldermen (BOA), and Mayor Lozeau.
- Three previous contracts have been passed by the BOE then rejected either by the BOA or the Mayor. The third hinged on a $3 million, or 1%, monetary difference, and was vetoed.
- Major issues revolve around retroactive pay of raises and city budget concerns.
- Striking is illegal for NH public employees. Planning a strike is not.
- If no contract is agreed upon, picket lines are expected to appear all around the Nashua District starting Monday, March 31.
- The NH Labor Relations Board has denied Hottel's requested cease-and-desist order against the planned strike.
- Hottel is pursuing further legal action against a strike, including fines & restraining orders.
- Job fairs for substitutes to keep schools running in the event of a strike have been held.
- If parents deem school unsafe without teachers, students can be kept at home as excused absences.
Fun facts:
- Nashua Superintendent Chris Hottel is the highest paid in the state. Nashua teacher starting salaries rank 68th in the state.
- The NTU has 950 members, led by NTU president Bob Sherman.
Contract Details from the NTU: click here
Panther Prints Knows No Limits...
In addition to the near-monthly Nashua High South newspaper, Panther Prints will be covering local news, particularly concerning Nashua students, on a regularly updated Community Coverage Blog.
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