Community Corner
End Kinnelon Teachers' Labor Dispute, Union Leader Says
KEA president says some services that could be provided under new contract could be curtailed as teachers continue to work under expired contract.
The following was submitted by Kinnelon Education President Tom Shannon. If you have a Letter to the Editor you would like to submit, send it to ariana.cohn-sheehan@patch.com
Dear Editor:
The Kinnelon Education Association (KEA) is extremely proud of its long history of contributions to the comprehensive successes within the Kinnelon school district. In congratulating the community, students, administration and board, the KEA shares its pride in the district’s recent achievement in being ranked No. 5 in the state.
Find out what's happening in Tri-Borowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The KEA is also proud of its long history of fair collective bargaining with the Kinnelon Board of Education. In the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year, the KEA presented the board with a seven-point proposal seeking basic, minor improvements, which included a salary package below the average of existing Morris County settlements and well below the recently
In the ensuing months, the KEA amended its proposal to contain areas of monetary concessions. The KEA has embraced the state-mandated health benefit contribution and has offered more concessions in health benefits.
Find out what's happening in Tri-Borowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In July 2012, the KEA received a new board proposal. The KEA expressed its appreciation, reviewed the document and made a few changes in the spirit of the bargaining process. Yet, instead of proceeding to the bargaining table to discuss these details, the board shut down negotiations.
The members of the KEA have been working for 15 months under an expired contract. Currently, both sides are involved in non-binding fact-finding arbitration. However, the KEA remains open to new discussions every day.
The KEA desires an end to this labor dispute to assure the progress and maintenance of the district’s academic excellence. Meanwhile, the KEA will remain committed to the academic well-being of the students yet must respect the limitations that exist within an expired contract, such confines that unfortunately curtail some of the services the KEA could provide under a new contract.
Thomas J. Shannon
President
Kinnelon Education Association
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
