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Pocono News Section
Classes Cancelled Monday in the Danville School District
Classes Cancelled Monday in the Danville School District - Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 9:39PM EST
Reported by: Eric Deabill & Jill Konopka
Sunday, Jan 20, 2008 @09:39pm EST
DANVILLE, MONTOUR COUNTY - More than 135 cafeteria workers, custodians, secretaries and maintenance workers will hit the picket lines in Danville Monday morning. After being in contract negotiations for two years, the workers say the district isn't treating them fairly. As a result, classes in the district will be closed on Monday.
"We really feel we're treated second best or we wouldn't be going out on strike. They're just not taking us seriously," Support Personnel Association President Pam Hoover said.
District leaders had originally planned to start school ater, but cancelled classes because they have no way to feed the district's 2,600 students. That's news that is upsetting to many.
"My son wants to go to school because he doesn't want to make it up in the summertime," parent Joseph Parri said.
The main stumbling block in the Danville School District is salary increases. The support staff personnel want raises of $2.70 over five years. Right now, the latest offer from the district has been $2.25 over five years. With some workers making under $8.00 an hour, many people in the district say school board leaders should cough up the cash to prevent a long walkout.
"It's a big infringement upon working parent's time. Give them the raise. It's not a big deal," parent Michele Cashner said.
"I support it (the strike) 100-percent. They deserve the money. I was uncertain at first, until I got more information," Tracy Fausnaught said.
As the striking workers prepare for the picket lines, there is no indication "if" or "when" more negotiations will take place.
"I believe the support personnel deserve a living wage. We have been negotiating for two years and we're getting nowhere," Hoover said.
Calls to several members of the Danville School Board were not returned on Sunday afternoon. The next school board meeting is set for Tuesday night. Many of the support staff workers say they plan to attend.
Picketing will begin on Monday morning at 6:00 AM in Montour County. | | |
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