Colleagues,
As you already know, we declared impasse in our negotiations with the District to achieve a successor contract. That impasse resolution process has now begun with mediation.
Superintendent Rosser and I met yesterday morning with the impartial mediator appointed by the NYS Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). At that meeting, Dr. Rosser agreed to RTA’s request that he become directly involved in negotiations if and when necessary. He then joined me in addressing the negotiations teams at their first mediation session.
It is yet to be seen whether the District will expeditiously engage in good-faith bargaining during the mediation phase. It is critical that they do so because otherwise the needs of our students will remain unaddressed, safety at our schools will continue to deteriorate, resignations of teachers will continue to climb, and our ability to attract new teachers will remain impaired. We cannot afford this climate to fester for months.
Your unswerving support is the main reason why we have hope to improve our schools through collective bargaining. We are counting on you to continue showing our solidarity and we will keep you informed about the progress of our efforts on your behalf.
Adam Urbanski, RTA President