Bayonne, NJ—A New Jersey mayor is being accused of “union busting” for having the audacity to propose giving teachers salary increases while negotiations are ongoing with the Bayonne Teachers Association.
The move by Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis was meant as a goodwill gesture, since the teachers have been without a contract since last June.
However, BTA President Al D’Angelo claims giving increases is a “union busting” move, according to NJ.com.
Among other concerns, D’Angelo said the proposal is an attempt to split the union over whether to accept some money upfront rather than nothing at all, calling it “union-busting.”
The school board president has stated he thought the mayor’s offer would be a “win win.”
Since the moneys for increases had already been set aside, any agreed-to increases in a new would not come out of the current budget.
In responding to the union president’s accusations, Mayor Davis stressed that his proposal would’ve allowed D’Angelo to negotiate for more money later.
“Movement on the guide establishes a floor as opposed to a ceiling in the ongoing negotiation process,” he said. “This would not create an added burden on the Bayonne taxpayer because the funding for such movement is already in place.”
Now, thanks to the union’s rejection of the Bayonne mayor’s proposal, it appears the teachers won’t be seeing any extra income for before the holidays.
The teachers union plans to protest outside City Hall later this week.
Read more here.
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