Parents & Students in Old Forge React to Possible Strike
By: Eric Deabill
Updated: December 13, 2012
Old Forge, Lackawanna County - Parents and students in the Old Forge school district are reacting to a possible teachers' strike next week.
The Old Forge Education Association has put the district on notice that they'll hit the picket lines next Thursday.
Teachers have been working without a new contract since August 2010.
A union official said the teachers plan to strike because the district is not being professional and after three years of negotiations they feel they are getting "pushed around."
Students say they don't want the potential strike to affect their summer vacation.
"I'm a little bit concerned because then that'll ake away from our summer vacation," sophomore Ryan Hoffman said.
"It'll probably extend school and then we'll have to go to later in June, instead of getting out the 6th or whatever, really early," junior Nicole Pilosi said.
The teachers' union says it plans to strike because of frustration at the lack of progress at the bargaining table. They say the district is unwilling to address the needs of the school community.
"I do hope they come to some agreement and get this all resolved so the kids can attend school and not miss out," parent Karina Giordano said.
School district leaders have been busy coming up with a plan in case of a potential strike.
The strike looms just two days before winter break. Union members have not said how long it could last.
There are currently no new bargaining sessions scheduled.
