Negotiations between the York Teachers Association and the York School Committee have momentarily broken down.  The two sides were engaged in mediation but have yet to agree on any terms for a new contract.

The current contract expired on August 31^st, but under its terms teachers continue to work under that contract until a new agreement is reached and signed by both sides.

There have been 22 executive sessions held throughout 2018 to discuss the contract.  More than 60 hours have been dedicated to talks, according to Brenda Alexander, School Committee Chairwoman.  As of the last meeting on August 28^th, there were still several issues outstanding.  Now, both sides believe mediation is needed to resolve the stalemate.

Neither Alexander nor the York Teachers Association negotiator were willing to state publicly why the talks broke down, and the details from the negotiation sessions will remain confidential.  According to Alexander, “… there are some things we have agreed to but some remain open. ”

There was a large group of teachers at the September 5^th meeting of the School Committee that was held in the library meeting room.

According to former chairman Donald Lawton, the existing contract was “one of the biggest problems with the whole school budget.  It is not a good way to do business and it is driving increases that are just unreasonable”.

Veteran teachers currently receive a 3. 25 percent COLA raise during the first year of the contract.  That amount increases to four percent in years two and three.

Both sides admit they are not at the mercy of the mediator and hope efforts are made at good faith negotiations.