Next Peters Township talks set
McMURRAY – The mediator in the Peters Township School District teachers’ strike set a 9 a.m. Nov. 6 negotiating session at the state Bureau of Mediation in Pittsburgh.
The district’s 285 teachers walked off their jobs Wednesday after failing to come up with a new contract following 17 negotiating sessions since January.
The teachers, who have been working without a contract since Aug. 31, could potentially remain out of the classroom until the day after Thanksgiving.
“I am disappointed and sad that it has come to this,” said Superintendent Jeannine French, who is not participating directly in the talks. “We recognize the toll this is taking on families and teachers.”
Conditions were much drier for teachers on the picket line Thursday than the first day of the strike, which saw record rainfall. Teachers continued to be stationed outside the administration building, McMurray Elementary, Peters Middle School and Peters Township High School, taking time to wave to passing motorists who honked in support.
“It’s been great,” said Kris Bergman, president of the local union and a sixth-grade teacher at McMurray Elementary. “We’ve had a lot of support and donations.”
Piled on a table beside Bergman and his fellow teachers were coffee urns from Starbucks, doughnuts, cookies and pizza.
Bergman said he and his fellow teachers want the contract issues resolved as soon as possible so they can return to their classrooms.
“We are available anytime, anywhere,” he said.