No deal for Blue Ridge teachers as talks continue

Posted on October 10, 2019
classroom
The earliest the union could legally strike is Oct. 28. (Photo Pixabay)

 

By Katherine Murphy

FARMER CITY– No deal between the Blue Ridge Federation of Teachers and the school board.

The two sides met Wednesday night and while the negotiations team for the teachers said some progress was made, it wasn’t enough for both to agree on.

Federation President Don Anton said in a statement that tentative agreements on student evaluation surveys and board paid retirement were reached they are still far apart on the issues of salary and health insurance.

There’s another meeting scheduled with the Board on the 21st.

The union made two moves on salary. The Board moved once, but did not respond to the Union’s latest proposal.

Anton said the team was hoping to keep the discussions moving and while he felt they were making headway the Board decided to end the session.

The Union represents 110 members, including drivers, cooks, custodians, secretaries, nurses, library clerks, and teachers.

They plan to file a ten-day intent to strike notice tomorrow and will strike on October 28th if an agreement isn’t reached.

Katherine Murphy can be reached at [email protected].

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