State mediator to help with NBTEA settlement

By craig yetsko

NORTH BRUNSWICK — The Board of Education has announced that a mediator will be assigned shortly to assist in contract negotiations with the North Brunswick Township Education Association.

The two sides agreed that negotiations had reached an impasse in May and asked the state Public Employment Relations Commission to appoint a mediator.

In other news concerning the negotiations, the board says it extended an open invitation to the NBTEA to meet frequently during the summer, but that the NBTEA refused.

Board officials explained that delaying negotiations would only create disruption "to the educational program of the children."

Last month, NBTEA President Mark Balaban said that if the state mediator was appointed at the end of June or July, it would be too late for bargaining to resume until September.

The board reiterated that its last offer to the union was not below percentages currently being accepted by other districts in the county and the state and is similar to that agreed to by the NBTEA in the present contract.

"The NBTEA is seeking a compensation package which is considerably above the average settlement," they said.

Balaban explained last month that the association presented compromises or "actual deletions" of every outstanding issue it deemed important; however, the board insisted on "major give-backs" tied to a compensation percentage considerably below that which was agreed to three years ago.

Board officials also addressed the health insurance issue, stating that although they are facing an increase in premiums of more than 14 percent, as part of their May 23 offer, they withdrew a proposal to cap the district’s contribution to health insurance premiums.

"No board proposal ever existed to ‘take away’ benefits or for ‘givebacks,’" the board said.

In reference to the "expired" contract, the board said that although the term ended July 1, teachers and staff will continue to be governed and protected by the terms of that contract.

In addition, staff will have access to grievance procedures, receive all benefits and "enjoy all contractual protections."

If an agreement is not reached by September, the board stated that it "will continue to expect that staff will act professionally and comply with district policy and existing law."

"Strikes, work stoppages (including sick-outs) are not permitted in the state of New Jersey," they said.