Teachers acted in good faith in contract negotiations
On March 18, the Greene County Messenger published a (news article) titled “Central Greene School District: Talks continue, teachers keep working under expired contract.”
The article claims that the school board rejected an “offer” made by the teachers’ union. This is a mischaracterization of the action of the school board. In fact, the board rejected a tentative agreement reached with current school board members and the superintendent, who were acting as official bargaining representatives of the school board.
Further, the tentative agreement that the board so cavalierly rejected was the result of a full 14 months of difficult negotiations between the board and the Central Greene Education Association.
The public has the right to know that the board, in fact, rejected the agreement that they themselves reached with the teachers. Operating in good faith, the Central Greene Education Association approved this agreement. The Central Greene School District turned around and rejected a contract that had been tentatively agreed upon by its representatives and superintendent.
Although we do not know the reason for the rejection by the board since they have yet to comment, let the record show that the teachers have been acting in good faith in our contract negotiations. The board should do the same.
Sincerely,
Melissa M. Wilson
President, Central Greene Education Association