A judge in Luzerne County has ordered negotiations over the Memorial Day weekend in an effort to resolve a long-running contract dispute involving support staff in the Crestwood School District.
Judge Peter Paul Olszewski made his ruling Friday afternoon following a hearing at the Luzerne County Courthouse. Olszewski was hearing arguments over whether the district was using illegal strike breakers to do work normally done by the support staff.
More than 100 teacher's aides, secretaries, janitors and cafeteria workers in the Crestwood School District walked off the job on Monday. The union and the district have been locked in a contract dispute for eight years. A few weeks ago, a fact-finder recommeded a settlement, but the school board rejected the proposal.
The school district in Mountain Top has been operating on half-days since the strike began. Judge Olszewski ordered the two sides to negotiate every day over the holiday weekend until they reach an agreement. He expects the Crestwood School District to return to a regular schedule when students go back to school on Tuesday.
Judge Peter Paul Olszewski made his ruling Friday afternoon following a hearing at the Luzerne County Courthouse. Olszewski was hearing arguments over whether the district was using illegal strike breakers to do work normally done by the support staff.
More than 100 teacher's aides, secretaries, janitors and cafeteria workers in the Crestwood School District walked off the job on Monday. The union and the district have been locked in a contract dispute for eight years. A few weeks ago, a fact-finder recommeded a settlement, but the school board rejected the proposal.
The school district in Mountain Top has been operating on half-days since the strike began. Judge Olszewski ordered the two sides to negotiate every day over the holiday weekend until they reach an agreement. He expects the Crestwood School District to return to a regular schedule when students go back to school on Tuesday.
