Xenia teachers reject pact by wide margin

Union says it is prepared to strike March 6

By Amelia Robinson

Dayton Daily News, February 24, 2006

XENIA Xenia Community Schools teachers soundly rejected a proposed contract from the school board Friday and are prepared to strike March 6 if outstanding issues are not resolved, said Mark Manley, president of the Xenia Education Association.

"(We) are ready to walk and no one should question our resolve to do so," he said of the union that represents 350 teachers and school counselors.

The proposal was defeated 266-14, Manley said.

Xenia Superintendent Jeff Lewis did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment Friday. But on Thursday, he said school officials are willing to enter into marathon negotiation sessions to resolve continuous salary and insurance matters.

"Everyone's heart is in the right place," he said. "We have to sit down and make it happen."

Negotiations will continue Monday.

Lewis said the district's insurance rates increased 22 percent this school year.

Manley said an insurance proposal offered by the board outraged teachers. It would require that all teachers' spouses subscribe to their own employer's insurance plan, not the Xenia plan, he said.

Manley said the union realizes the Xenia's school district is not wealthy, but teachers have not been give a clear and consistent picture of district finances.

"We need to know where they stand and figure out what our fair share of the pie is," Manley said.

The union filed a notice to strike with the State Employment Relations Board last week, Manley said, adding that school officials knew such an action was looming.

Union members have been without a contract since July.