School News

Last Updated on Saturday, 29 August 2015 12:42

Monessen teachers without a contract for over 400 days

The approximately 80 members of the Monessen Education Association (MEA) have been without a contract since the end of the 2013-14 school year – over 400 days.

The teachers, who are employed by the Monessen City School District, began negotiating for a successor agreement back in January 2014. Since the expiration of their contract on June 30, 2014, MEA members have been working without a contract.

“We have been at this for over a year and a half,” said MEA President Nicole Popelas. “We agreed to a wage and step freeze in 2012 in consideration of the district’s financial position. We are entering our second straight year without a salary increase and our third in the past four years. Now we ask the Board – Where is our consideration?”

“We are a highly educated staff, with over 50% of our teachers having a master’s degree. Yet our starting salary ranks last in Westmoreland County, and our career rate, the rate at which teachers reach their highest salaries, is in the bottom third of all Westmoreland County districts,” said Popelas. “Our teachers give hundreds of dollars of their money to supply their classrooms, as well as devoting many hours of their own personal time to provide students with support and activities. We ask the Board – Where is the consideration for the value we provide to the district?”

In addition to other concessions in salaries, benefits and work rules that the school board is proposing, board negotiators have requested that MEA members significantly increase their contribution rates for health insurance premiums, although there has been no substantial increase in health insurance costs to the district.

“We are frustrated, disappointed, and tired of being underappreciated by the school board,” said Popelas. “We just want to be treated with respect – we sincerely hope the school board directs its negotiators to reach a fair and equitable contract. Our members deserve nothing less.”

For further information, please contact Nicole Popelas, MEA President, at 724-255-8385.