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September 6, 2007

E. Greenwich School Committee at the courthouse

An attorney for the East Greenwich School Committee went to the Kent County Superior Court late this morning to ask a judge to end a three-day teachers strike.

Richard Ackerman said he plans to ask Judge Jeffrey A. Lanphear for a hearing “as soon as possible,” hopefully this afternoon, and request that an injunction be granted, compelling the East Greenwich teachers to return to school.

After a three-day strike, which included a late-night mediation session, the school committee and the teachers have not been able to come agree on salary and health insurance issues for the latest contract.

Donna Hayes, a local teachers union representative, said the committee did not offer a serious proposal last night. When she left negotiations at about 12:45 a.m., she said, the decision was made instead to cancel classes.

“We were very disappointed,” she said.

Supt. Charles Meyers said he felt the school committee bargained in “good faith… the School Committee asked the teachers to go back to work,” and continue bargaining.

“They refused,” he said. “We had no other choice.”

Extra: Teachers take their case to East Greenwich residents in an open letter.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Lisa Vernon-Sparks

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 11:38 AM | Permalink

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