snea SNEA prez: Collective bargaining talks inching along

snea In a recent phone conversation, Ray Smith, president of Springfield's National Education Association, likened recent talks for collective bargaining rights for Springfield teachers to a “Seinfeld” episode — nothing really happens.

Smith has met twice with superintendent Norm Ridder and Glenda Thurlkill, president of the local Missouri State Teachers Association, since the school board voted to move toward an election for teacher representation.

Attorneys and other representatives of the two teachers groups were also present at the meetings, Smith said.

The bulk of the first two meetings were spent trying to establish the bargaining unit.

SNEA would like to include nurses and parent educators; MSTA and the district are opposed to that, he said.

There has been no further decision of when the election will take place or what will be on the ballot, Smith said.

SNEA wants an election for single representation between SNEA and MSTA.

MSTA and the district officials have previously said they favor a ballot that would include a hybrid SNEA/MSTA option.

“It’s like they’re stalling because they think the legislature is going to take care of it,” Smith said. “But that’s not going to happen.”

The three sides will meet again on Tuesday.