Teachers in the Shippensburg Area School District plan to demonstrate today as contract talks with the district remain unresolved just days before students return to classrooms.
More than 250 teachers and educators, represented by the Shippensburg Area Education Association, have been working without a contract since June 30. Negotiations for a new agreement began in January, but the two sides have yet to reach terms.
This morning, before the district’s first in-service day, teachers are set to gather in the parking lot of Shippensburg High School. Wearing red to show unity, the educators plan to stand together before entering the building. The demonstration is intended as a show of solidarity rather than a strike, with the union emphasizing that instruction and school operations will continue without interruption.
The central issue in the talks is wages. Union leaders argue that pay increases are needed to recruit and retain qualified teachers at a time when districts across Pennsylvania face staffing challenges. The expired contract covered salary schedules and benefits, leaving members eager for an update that reflects current economic conditions and workload demands.
District officials said negotiations are continuing in good faith, pointing to progress made so far and noting another bargaining session is scheduled next week. They have stressed that any agreement must balance support for educators with fiscal responsibility for the community.
Despite the impasse, both sides have underscored their commitment to ensuring a smooth start to the school year. In-service training and opening-day events are expected to proceed as planned, and teachers will continue reporting for work.
Source: ABC27