I urge you to help in securing fair and equitable contracts for our teachers and paraprofessionals.

To date, no substantial progress has been made during negotiations—although the Scranton Federation of Teachers has made multiple proposals to the district since last February and has come to the table in good faith, willing to hammer out fair and equitable contracts that are in the best interests of our students, educators and taxpayers.

The proposals made by the district have been scant, were very rarely in written form, and have been regressive and burdensome, not only to employees but to students too. Contract articles that have served the district well for decades are being attacked and gutted, and I am frustrated and disheartened at the lack of concern for the safety and well-being of our students—especially regarding school nurse staffing and class size. We would remind you that educators’ working conditions are our students’ learning conditions.

The district has also proposed increasing the healthcare burden on educators, even beyond the contributions they already make. I remind you that the Scranton Federation of Teachers is the only teachers union in Lackawanna County that contributes toward premiums, and it has done so for many years.

Scranton educators are committed to negotiating in good faith. That willingness is demonstrated by the fact that there has not been a work stoppage since 1998. Past contracts have shown that they approach negotiations seriously with fair resolution in mind. To that end, I ask you, an elected member of the Scranton School Board, for your involvement in continuing the tradition of cooperation and excellent public education in the Scranton School District.