NEWTON FALLS SCHOOLS Union files charges against board

The union accused board members of recessive bargaining, delaying talks and trying to frighten employees.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NEWTON FALLS -- Classified employees of the Newton Falls school district, who are involved in contract negotiations with the board of education, have filed two unfair labor practices against the board.
The Newton Falls Association of Classified Employees were set to strike at the beginning of this week, but rescinded the notice following a four-hour bargaining session last Sunday.
In the charges filed Thursday with the State Employment Relations Board, however, the union claims the board delayed bargaining session and then lied about the reasons for the delay, and also tried to frighten and intimidate union employees by threatening to cancel health insurance of the employees did strike.
The charges also alleges board members engaged in recessive bargaining, saying the board presented health insurance proposals Oct. 24 and then reduced the proposals Oct. 30.
Superintendent Linda Clapp could not be reached to comment on the charges. Earlier, though, she did say that board members and union representatives were scheduled to continue talks, but no specific date was set.
Union rep's statements
Union representative Terri Pigg, a bus driver with the district, could not be reached to comment, but in a prepared statement said union members continued working as a show of good faith, and they expected the same good faith effort from board members.
"We have had enough of the board's tactics and have asked the State Employment Relations Board to step in and look at this situation," she stated.
The NFACE represents 52 members who serve as custodians, bus drivers, secretaries, aides and cafeteria workers in the district. Health benefits are said to be the central stumbling block in the talks.
NFACE members' contract expired June 30, but employees agreed to work under the terms of that contract until a new one was approved.
Several talks between the sides took place in August, but an impasse was declared in September. Since then, a mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service was brought in to supervise the talks.
slshaulis@vindy.com