No settlement; Seneca Valley will strike Monday

Though district officials are still hopeful a strike can be avoided, a three hour meeting yesterday brought no resolution and the teachers refused non-binding arbitration. From the Post-Gazette:

In a written notice submitted to the district yesterday afternoon, the Seneca Valley Education Association said it was unwilling to engage in non-binding arbitration. District negotiators had made the request Tuesday in response to the teachers' notice of their intent to strike starting Monday and lasting through Nov. 8, the maximum allotted time permitted for a strike under state labor laws.

Tom King, an attorney for the district, said the meeting ran from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

"The state mediator had both parties in the same room for about 15 to 20 minutes during the negotiations, then he separated us and went back and forth between the two parties," Mr. King said. "But nothing came out of the meeting."

Tribune-Review:

King said the district plans to continue extracurricular activities like football and band during the strike. "We'll see how much pressure the union puts on the coaches," he said.

The union, however, is "hoping that everything closes down," including football, said Santicola.

Under state law, teachers may walk out for about 25 school days, Santicola said. The exact number of days will be determined by the state Department of Education after the strike starts, district and union officials say. State law mandates completion of 180 school days by June 15.

Teachers would need to return by November 8th. Classes have already been canceled for Monday. More from WPXI.