UNITED TEACHERS OF NORTHPORT
CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
UPDATE # 16
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010

IMPASSE DECLARED

After sixteen sessions with no substantive progress, impasse has been declared in the contract negotiations process between the District and the United Teachers of Northport. This declaration comes on the heels of the Union’s rejection of the District’s recent financial proposal, a proposal which was worse than any other previously discussed. The Union has presented and discussed numerous financial proposals throughout this process, several of which would have enabled the District to save millions of dollars and all of which were reasonable and fair, and formulated in recognition of the current economic climate. While the District has not specifically responded to these proposals, they have provided their own proposals.

In light of the distance between the parties, and the increasingly strained discussions, the need for a third party mediator was evident. Two key elements remain at the forefront of this stalemate, financial proposals and the new APPR.

The next stage in this process will involve the joint selection of a mediator by the Union and District. Once that has been done, an initial session will be scheduled with the mediator. In the interim, the Union will prepare its reports to be presented to the mediator.

Further information regarding upcoming sessions as well as future solidarity actions will be provided as it becomes available. As we enter this next phase of the negotiations process, prepare for increased activity. Maximum participation of our membership will be expected.