Oct 15, 2007 12:58 pm US/Eastern
Seneca Valley Teachers Begin Strike
The strike affects about 7,600 students.
Seneca Valley is the second largest school district in Butler County.
Teachers have been without a contract since June 30, 2006.
CRANBERRY TWP. (KDKA) ―
Teachers in Butler County's Seneca Valley School Districts have gone on strike forcing about 7,600 students to stay at home today.
The teachers have been without a contract since June 30, 2006.
KDKA's Alison Morris reports that it could be November before students are back in class.
"I understand the parents' concerns," said Pat Andrekovich of the teachers' union. "I understand the kids' concerns. We didn't want to disrupt this. If we were really looking to strike, we could have struck a year ago. We have been working for a year and a half without a contract."
"It takes two to negotiate," said Butch Santicola of the Pennsylvania State Education Association. "If one side has wall up you are not going to be able to bargain. That is what the board has right now."
Salary increases and healthcare costs are the main sticking points of the negotiations.
"As we speak, the teachers are at an average of about 6.3 percent," said Tom King, a Seneca Valley School District Attorney. "We're at 4 percent. That translates into about $13 million apart on wages. We are very far apart."
Right now, no new talks are scheduled.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
