The Fall River Educators Association (FREA) and the school committee remain in a stalemate over a three-year contract for city teachers.
The two sides met this week for another bargaining session. FREA President Keith Michon says that even though some issues are being resolved, the two sides remain deadlocked on compensation.
The union submitted a wage proposal based on teacher seniority. It is looking for a 7 percent increase for lower step teachers with an 8 percent raise for those on the higher levels in year one. In years two and three the FREA seeks a 7 percent and 8 and a half percent hike based on seniority. The city has not moved from its proposal of seven percent and eight percent in year one and five percent for all levels in years two and three.
Mayor Paul Coogan feels the current offer on the table is a fair one.
This week, the FREA collected over 800 signatures from members on a petition supporting union leadership. Those petitions were delivered to Mayor Coogan and the Fall River City Council. Mayor Coogan and the union feel the other side is not showing a sense of urgency in working toward a resolution.
The FREA has been working without a contract since its current agreement expired on August 31. Mr. Michon says the union has become more visible in showing displeasure with how the negotiations have progressed.
The two sides are scheduled to meet again on October 23.
