Bayonne Mayor Davis offers to host teachers’ contract negotiations at City Hall

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Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis has offered to host a meeting on teachers’ contract negotiations at City Hall next week, though it is was not immediately clear if representatives from both the teachers union and the board of education would accept. Jimmy Davis

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“We all have a stake in the ultimate success of our education system, whether it is as critical as the valuable knowledge imparted on our children, or as economical as the value of local homes,” Davis wrote in a letter addressed to the Bayonne BOE Negotiating Committee and the BTA Negotiating Committee on November 1.

“To that end, many of these individuals have expressed growing frustration and confusion about the current situation with negotiations. Quite frankly, I share in their frustration.”

Davis goes on to say that for this reason, both parties have been invited to a full day negotiating session at his private offices and conference room at City Hall on November 10, beginning at 10 a.m.

“This offer is in a good faith effort to objectively further the discussions that have gone unresolved over the past year. I think we can all agree that the equitable resolution of these negotiations are in the best interests of all parties and stakeholders involved.”

Nearly a year ago, Davis penned a letter to the BOE urging them to finalize a new teachers’ contract. Negotiations have been ongoing for 15 months now.

“My union is willing to meet with anybody who can facilitate an end to these contract negotiations. If Mayor Davis wants to host us at City Hall, that’s fine with me, we’ll be there,” said Bayonne Teachers Association President Alan D’Angelo.

“Lately, in the last 10, 12 years, contract negotiations come down to money and right now, we’re too far apart.”

Bayonne Board of Education Trustee Mary Jane Desmond said she did not agree with City Hall hosting a meeting about contract negotiations

“I don’t understand how we go through the process to have an elected board, but yet you still have City Hall meddling in BOE matters. I am extremely disappointed this is not settled yet and my colleagues and I will do everything we can to find money in the budget,” she said.

Davis’ office declined to comment beyond what was said in the letter and Bayonne Board of Education President Joe Broderick could not immediately be reached for comment.

A copy of Davis’ letter can be read here.


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