Swanton schools union works past contract end

9/5/2008

SWANTON Members of the Swanton Education Association are continuing to work in the Swanton school system under the terms of their old contract following its expiration Sunday, spokesman Steve Brehmer said last night.

No further action has been taken to initiate a strike, and the union is hopeful bargaining will continue. We re attempting to keep the lines of communication open, Mr. Brehmer said. We re hoping the board will see fit to open up negotiations again.

On Aug. 18, the 88 teachers and other personnel represented by the union authorized their bargaining team to issue a 10-day notice of intent to strike when they felt it was necessary.

Teachers turned down a contract offer presented by district officials as a final offer Aug. 28 without a formal vote.

Superintendent Paulette Baz said she has not received any communications from the union. We have our final offer out there, and they haven t taken any action on it.