Teachers stay away for a day
By Chris Sykes, Staff Writer
While many public schools close for Columbus Day, it was not the case in East Orange last week.
The city’s public schools were open on Oct. 12, but many of the teachers did not report to work that day. While no one has called the apparent action of the East Orange Education Association a “sickout” or the “blue flu,“ it did coincide with the strengthening of the teachers’ response to 15 months of negotiations toward a new collective bargaining agreement. They are working under the terms of the previous contract, which expired June 30, 2008.
Jacqui Greadington, president of the East Orange Education Association, said her members want the contract negotiations to be settled soon. She did not comment on speculation that the Columbus Day absences were a coordinated “union action.”
Greadington said the union members she represents just want to open a dialogue with the district that might possibly lead to an amicable resolution. However, Greadington said her members have not been able to get much of a concession from the district administration.
“There has been what we believe is reluctance from the board side to negotiate a fair and equitable contract with the teachers of East Orange,” said Greadington. “There are issues we can settle and resolve at the negotiation table. We do believe the board can settle this contract.”
While many public schools close for Columbus Day, it was not the case in East Orange last week.
The city’s public schools were open on Oct. 12, but many of the teachers did not report to work that day. While no one has called the apparent action of the East Orange Education Association a “sickout” or the “blue flu,“ it did coincide with the strengthening of the teachers’ response to 15 months of negotiations toward a new collective bargaining agreement. They are working under the terms of the previous contract, which expired June 30, 2008.
Jacqui Greadington, president of the East Orange Education Association, said her members want the contract negotiations to be settled soon. She did not comment on speculation that the Columbus Day absences were a coordinated “union action.”
Greadington said the union members she represents just want to open a dialogue with the district that might possibly lead to an amicable resolution. However, Greadington said her members have not been able to get much of a concession from the district administration.
“There has been what we believe is reluctance from the board side to negotiate a fair and equitable contract with the teachers of East Orange,” said Greadington. “There are issues we can settle and resolve at the negotiation table. We do believe the board can settle this contract.”
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