Rockaway teachers fighting for new contract

ROCKAWAY – Tired of working without a contract and fearing another lengthy negotiation, the borough’s teachers are appealing to parents and the Board of Education’s negotiating committee to reach a settlement.

The Rockaway Borough Education Association (RBEA) has been teaching without a contract since the start of the new academic year in July, and as the 2015-16 school year comes to a close, members are fearful negotiations will take as long as they did for the last one, two and a half years.

RBEA Co-Presidents Jerelyn Hurley and Michael Onischuk, represent the 106 teachers in the Rockaway Borough School District, which covers kindergarten through eighth grade. They said they are seeking a timely settlement for their members.

“The straw that broke the camel’s back was when the board filed unilaterally with (the Public Employment Relations Commission) for mediation,” Hurley said. “Our last contract took two and a half years to settle and we are again back in negotiations. We want to settle now, we want the board to bargain in good faith without delays.”

Hurley said negotiations on the new contract actually began at the end of 2014 in an attempt to get a head start after the last time.

“But the board uses tactics that delay the process,” Hurley said. “They drag their feet and are costing the borough money.”

The borough school district did not respond to request for comment.

Onischuk said the RBEA is limited to the amount of info they can share in the negotiation process.

“But every time we want to meet, it takes months to set a date,” Onischuck said. “We thought we were having positive communication and they then go and file for impasse.”

Onischuk said last time, both sides filed for mediation jointly, but this time it was a surprise, one-sided decision.

“It seems like they give up on the process,” Hurley said. “We had high hopes it would be different this time with some new board members, but it’s the same old thing.”

Onischuk said the RBEA now has a “plan of action” moving forward.

“We don’t plan on being quiet anymore,” Onischuck said. “We won’t distract from the children, but we will do things to get our point across, attending board meetings and rallies.”

Hurley and Onischuk stopped short of saying they are considering a strike at this time.

“I won’t use the ‘S’ word. Not yet. That’s an extreme thing we don’t want to think about yet,” Onischuk said. “But we respected the process last time and got bit. We’re doing it right this time.”

Hurley and Onischuk read a joint statement on behalf of their fellow teachers at the March 15 Board of Education meeting to express their frustrations and make a plea to settle their contract.

“We are all sick and tired of what occurs every time we negotiate.  In the last seven years, we have been negotiating for approximately five years. This is a problem,” they said. “We believe this board is not living up to its fiduciary responsibilities and squandering taxpayer money on attorney bills that could be better used towards running a more efficient district.”

Hurley and Onischuk said the unproductive and time-consuming negotiations aren’t fair to the students or the borough’s taxpayers.

“We come to work each and every day and in many cases go above and beyond what is asked of us,” they said. “Not one single day did these professionals, our members, waiver in their commitment and dedication despite their continued concern and anxiety about their financial and professional situation. The stress that our members are under never surfaces in the classroom, or in the level of professionalism they provide to our youngsters.”

Hurley and Onischuk noted that the RBEA agreed to take a zero percent pay increase for the 2010-11 school year to preserve staff positions.

“Our raises and the percentages offered by the BOE have not even come close to covering the gap in our pay that has been created by the mandated health insurance contributions,” they said. “With very rare exception, each and every member’s take home pay has decreased significantly over the past 4 years.”

Hurley and Onischuk said they are fighting to keep their members, as teachers move to other districts with higher salaries and a contract.

“We are here tonight to tell you that everything is not OK,” they said. “Our members are spinning gold from straw – making the very most of little. We are doing the very best with and for our students. All while the Board continues to wring blood from stone – the blood of our members.”

Hurley said mediations are expected to begin in April.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com