The Likelihood of a Strike

Current Issue: Nashua Teachers Union (NTU) Strike.

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.

The Latest:

• 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