Pocono News Section

Lake-Lehman Teachers Set Strike Deadline

Lake-Lehman Teachers Set Strike Deadline - Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at 06:38AM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Tuesday, Oct 2, 2007 @06:38am EST
LEHMAN TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY- Lake-Lehman School District's teachers’ union has set a strike deadline. Health care, wages and separation between the sides are the reasons being cited for the move.

Lake-Lehman soccer practice went on as usual. So did band rehearsal. But behind the scenes, the picture is much different.

John Holland of the PSEA said, “The members believe they have no choice but to initiate a strike against the district.”

The union says its scheduled October 15th walk-out is over healthcare, significant wage decreases and the absence of a contract for two years.

“The school board is not treating them with respect,” added Holland.

Officially the school board hasn't commented, but Lake Lehman School Board member Drew Salko talked with us. “I don't know that we've presented the best offer that we could come up with on the table,” he said.

And parents who spoke to WBRE News agree it's difficult to meet on all terms, but they hope it's resolved as quickly as possible. Amy Salansky said, “Somehow they have to come up with an agreement.”

Parent Donna Kocher added, “There has to be other ways to bargain this down and get it out on the table. It's starting to get petty.”

Salko says he's disappointed the union has decided to strike. “The strike only hurts the kids at the end of the day,” he added.

But with the possible strike two weeks away, the union says there's still time to hammer out a deal.