Hollidaysburg teachers approve strike
Tentative start date set for Nov. 23 should negotiations fail to reach deal
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In a late Monday meeting, members of the Hollidaysburg Area Education Association voted almost unanimously to go on strike.
A tentative date of Nov. 23 was set to begin the strike.
The final tally was 227 to 3 in favor of a strike. Voting was open from 4:05 to 7 p.m. at the AFSCME Council 13 office in Duncansville. According to a press release from the Pennsylvania State Education Association, approximately 99% of the Hollidaysburg chapter's members cast their ballots.
"Our goal is the same as it has been since the beginning," union President Michael Rawlins said. "We think if both parties come to the table with urgency and a commitment to get this done, we'll get it done. It shouldn't take nearly a year to negotiate a contract, and our hope is to make progress and reach an agreement before November 23."
The move comes after months of unsuccessful attempts by the union and the Hollidaysburg Area School District to come to terms on a new contract for teachers. District teachers have been working under an expired deal since mid-August.
"Hollidaysburg educators are speaking with one voice and saying we're tired of doing more with less," teacher and union member Lindsey Dull said. "We're proud of our district, and we don't want to watch the things that make our schools great continue to deteriorate. If that means we're forced to take strike action, we're willing to do it."
The district had announced earlier Monday that the union had agreed to come back to the negotiating table today, the first time the two sides are meeting since Sept. 1, union representatives said.
The union reportedly sent a contract proposal to the district on Sept. 1 and has not received a counterproposal since.
The district and union have met 11 times since January, but have been unable to come to an agreement due to -- according to the union -- "take-it-or-leave-it" offers from the district. The district ranks near the bottom of local districts in terms of starting salaries for educators, according to information from the union.
Superintendent Curtis Whitesel disputed those accusations last week, stating the district has made seven different contract offers with "a competitive and equitable wage package."
On Monday night, Whitesel said the district has faith in its teachers and believes an agreement will come soon.
"This is not a board vs. teachers in a competition, this is both facets that make HASD a special place looking for a positive outcome," Whitesel said. "I have complete confidence in our teachers and our board that we will come to an agreement that we, as a district, are happy with."
The union said in a statement that it has provided the district with more potential negotiation dates through November.
Hollidaysburg educators last went on strike in 1991.