YORK, Maine — York teachers remain without a new contract, following the first mediation session held last week between the York Teachers Association and the York School Committee.
“People are talking. It’s cordial,” said Superintendent Lou Goscinski following the Oct. 22 meeting. “There are some differences but I’m optimistic that mediation will result in a collective bargaining agreement.”
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Talks broke down at the end of August when the two sides were unable to reach agreement over terms of a new contract. School Committee members have said that the two sides agreed on many things, but were unable to come to terms on about half a dozen items.
Teachers have been working under the terms of the old contract so far this school year. They have shown up in large numbers at recent School Committee meetings but have not made a public statement.
“As we enter Day 53 without a contract, the members of York TA hope the School Committee realizes our commitment to our students and dedication to our work,” said YTA President William True last week. “We will continue to do the best job possible for our students, while we hope the school committee appreciates and respects our work and settles the contract soon.”
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Goscinski said the two sides bring “legitimate differences” to the table that could take a while to resolve. He said the mediator spent much of the three-hour Oct. 22 session “getting up speed and trying to understand all the issues.” There was “respectful dialogue back and forth” between the teachers and the School Committee members at the session, and he expects that tone will continue into future sessions.
Another session is set for Nov. 8, and this one will be four hours long, he said. “I think if there had been more time in the first session, we might have broken through. I think we’re almost there.”
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