District and teachers at impasse over contract negotiations
Nov. 21, 2011—After nearly a year of negotiations,
the Guilderland Central School District has declared impasse with the
Guilderland Teachers’ Association (GTA) over the terms of a new contract. A
declaration of impasse is the procedure required by New York State law for a
public employer or union to seek the appointment of a mediator by the Public
Employment Relations Board to assist the parties in coming to a new
agreement.
Representatives from the district and the union began meeting in December
2010 and have met on 20 separate occasions since that time. The teachers’
contract expired in June 2011. Failure to reach an agreement has been
attributed to a general downturn in the economy and tough fiscal times
fueled by increasing costs and declining revenues.
“The move to declare impasse was decided after numerous unsuccessful
attempts to negotiate a new agreement,” said Board of Education President
Colleen O’Connell. “We are cautiously optimistic that a mediator will help
both parties come to an agreement that not only meets the needs of our
committed staff but that is also fair to our taxpayers, as well.”