Community Members Continue to Rally for RVC teachers

Reported by: Marty Kasper

Time is running out, and if the two sides can't find common ground the start of the spring semester could be delayed or even called off.

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"We've never gotten this far without coming to an agreement," said RockValleyCollege faculty association president Tom Alisankus.

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Alisankus says they have been speaking with the board of trustees throughout the past year but seem to be at a stalemate.

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"We're not asking for extra, were asking for fair, and we just cant seem to reach that," said Alisankus.

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The teachers have been working without a contract since July.? Alisankus says the board is asking faculty members to contribute more money to their healthcare benefits plan. ?But the union says that's not fair, and is threatening to strike if the two sides can't reach an agreement.

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A standstill some students say teachers shouldn't be going through.

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"I defiantly think the board needs to drop it's attitude, as if the teachers are some sort of group of robbers, it's completely absurd," said RockValleyCollege student Dylan Hackler.

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Hackler stood with community members outside the college's campus holding signs in support of the teachers. ?People he credits for his early success.

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"Trying to figure out how I am going to get to college, and I would be really struggling to get my eagle scout, which I am close to finishing now," said Hackler.

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The spring semester is supposed to start on January 17th, and Alisankus says he's hopeful they will reach an agreement before students head back to class.

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"I think both sides really have an interest in not going on strike," said Alisankus.

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The faculty and college bargaining teams plan to continue contract talks tomorrow and into the New Year.

Source: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=309807

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