Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

CRANSTON, R.I. -- The East Providence teacher dispute may be in Superior Court again before the State Labor Relations Board meets for the third day of its hearing on the matter, on Aug. 25.

Just one witness testified Thursday, on day two, and that witness -- National Education Association Rhode Island representative Jeanette Woolley -- wasn't even cross-examined by the school district's lawyer.

The labor-relations agency, a quasi-judicial board whose six current members were appointed by the governor, is hearing two unfair-labor-practices complaints against the district. The more critical of the two complaints stems from the School Committee's January decision to unilaterally roll back the teachers' salaries and require them to pay 20 percent toward the cost of their health care.

The second complaint alleges the committee didn't bargain in good faith when the sides couldn't agree to ground rules for the negotiating sessions because the committee wanted the talks to be conducted in public. The committee also said it needed to respect a 2006 mandate from voters that any agreement made with city employees, including teachers, be subject to City Council approval.

The School Committee filed a lawsuit last month claiming the Superior Court should have jurisdiction over the issues because education laws trump any labor laws. The East Providence Education Association, and its parent organization, NEARI, said all the laws should be followed in conjunction with one another. The labor board agreed and continued with its hearing.

But the lawyers for both sides had conflicts with the about half dozen proposed dates to continue the board's hearing. The next set dates are Aug. 25 and 27. A late-June meeting is also being considered.

 Tags  East Providence RI education teachers

Comments

Paula Fillion said:

The title of this article is disturbingly biased. "spat"?!? Unbelievable...

Link | April 2, 2009 6:32 PM
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Paula Fillion said:

I subscribe to the Journal and read it cover to cover every day. While I enjoy some quality reporting and appreciate different opinions represented on the editorial page, I respectfully request that headlines on news articles be factual and not biased or inflammatory. East Providence teacher "spat"??!!? Unbelievable...

Link | April 2, 2009 7:05 PM
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