Teachers' contract negotiations stalled

MATAWAN - Over 200 teachers, school staff and bus drivers assembled in a show of strength at the Matawan-Aberdeen Board of Education meeting on Monday, Dec. 17.

Though the protest was silent, the tags worn by members of the Matawan Regional Teachers Association let no one misunderstand the message: "I care about our kids."

The Matawan Regional Teachers Association (MRTA) represents staff from the Matawan Regional High School, Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School, Lloyd Road Elementary School, Cliffwood Elementary School, Ravine Drive Elementary School, Strathmore Elementary School, and Cambridge Park Elementary School.

MRTA President Carl Kosmyna said that teachers and staff have been working since September without a contract, and that negotiations have been "unsuccessful" to date.

The MRTA declared an impasse in April 2007, which resulted in a mediator being assigned by the Public Employees Relations Commission, according to Kosmyna.

"Tonight is about making a statement," he said, "and about making the public aware that things are not what they seem in the district. We also want the board to see that we are standing here united."

Kosmyna said that the MRTA is primarily concerned about health benefits and salaries, and more specifically over a proposal initiated by the BOE which would mandate staff contributions to healthcare costs.

Kosmyna declined to release more specific details regarding negotiations, but said the initial proposal by the BOE during the most recent meeting was "inappropriate" for the time of year.

"It did not leave a good taste in our mouths to have them make that type of proposal four months after our contracts expired," Kosmyna said. "We are against the proposal as it stands," he added, "and we would like to see something more reasonable."

Matawan-Aberdeen Board of Education President Lawrence O'Connell clarified that staff does not presently contribute anything for healthcare costs, and mentioned the BOE proposal as a possible reason for the strong and very public reaction by the MRTA.

He alluded to the rising costs of healthcare in the district and said that taxpayers are already overburdened.

"Health care represents the largest increase in the budget along with salaries," he said, "and we just want to be balanced."

According to O'Connell, the next negotiation session will take place in February.