Shareholder David A. Gurwin Quoted in Pittsburgh Tribune-Review about Teacher Contract Issues
On December 12, David A. Gurwin, chair of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney’s Entertainment and Media Law Group, was quoted in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review about contract issues at Hampton Township School District. Gurwin is the president of the district’s Board of School Directors.
The teachers in the district are continuing to work under the terms of a contract that expired in June 2012. School district representatives have been meeting monthly with a union bargaining team and state-appointed mediator.
At a recent school board reorganization meeting, more than 150 teachers from a collective bargaining unit called the Hampton Township Education Association silently lined the halls near an auditorium in the middle school in protest.
"I believe that all sides understand that we are in a difficult and unique economic environment," said Gurwin. "State funding has been reduced, and its future levels are uncertain. We are facing significant increases in our required (Public School Employees’ Retirement System) contributions. The cost of health care continues to increase; the law places limits on the ability of school districts to raise taxes beyond a certain indexed amount, etc."
He continued, "All of these issues are impacting our discussions. I am hopeful that we will be able to reach a mutually acceptable resolution of these issues. The board is committed to serving the interests of our school district and its students and the taxpayers in our district."