SALEM SCHOOLS Official touts progress on pacts

The sides were expected to return to the bargaining table today.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- The city school district continues to operate with expired contracts with its two unions, but a school official is optimistic that labor talks are advancing toward settlements.
"We're making good progress," Superintendent Dr. David Brobeck said.
Negotiations with both unions were held late last week. The sides were expected to meet again today, Brobeck said.
"I'm feeling pretty good" that settlements will be forthcoming, Brobeck added, although he would not estimate when.
Meanwhile, employees will continue working under the terms of their old contracts.
The contract with the Salem Education Association, representing about 160 teachers, expired Aug. 31.
The contract with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, representing about 95 janitors, aides, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and other employees, expired June 30.
Reason for delay
Asked what's taking so long to reach settlements with the two unions, Brobeck said, "There are language issues we're working on." He declined to be specific, citing an agreement between the unions and the administration not to discuss bargaining details.
As to whether there's any danger of a strike, Brobeck said, "We're not even close to that sort of thing."
Right now, beginning teachers are earning about $25,650 annually. A teacher with a master's degree and 30 years of service makes $54,506 annually.
The highest pay among support staff is the $17.11 an hour paid to a maintenance foreman with 20 years on the job.
Lowest-paid on the support-staff scale is a cafeteria worker, who makes $6.93 an hour.