Ringgold, teachers union make some progress toward contract (PA)

[struggle4progress]

Court-ordered negotiations between Ringgold School District and its teachers union have resulted in some progress, but the two sides remain far from reaching a contract agreement.

"In order to reach an agreement, there has to be a final contract that each side finds equally disagreeable. And we haven't yet reached that point," said Ronald Watzman, attorney for Ringgold Education Association, following a status hearing before Washington County Judge Paul Pozonsky.

Last week, the judge ordered both parties to continue negotiations for another 32 hours in the coming weeks after being told that little progress has been made toward a new contract after 72 hours of negotiations in July.

The negotiation sessions are being mediated by Willard A. Esselstyen and Edwin Wintermyer, both of Department of Labor and Industry. All members of Ringgold School Board, the district business manager and all members of the union's negotiating team must attend the sessions unless they receive an excuse from the court. <snip>

http://www.observer-reporter.com/283981395709198.bsp