Ossining teachers picket over contract dispute

Members of the Ossining Teachers Association picketed outside of their schools Monday to demand a new contract.

News 12 Staff

Oct 25, 2021, 10:23 AM

Updated 1,075 days ago

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Members of the Ossining Teachers Association picketed outside of their schools Monday to demand a new contract.
The Ossining Teachers Association, also known as the OTA, is trying to call attention to end the dispute.
They have been picketing every Monday morning this school year, wearing their OTA apparel as a show of solidarity of frustrations.
The OTA is a union made up of teachers, counselors, social workers, psychologists, librarians, and occupational and physical therapists.
The protesters say ongoing contract negotiations come amid an already challenging school year. 
For the first time in more than 10 years, Ossining teachers started the new school year without a new contract.
Staff worked to pivot alongside fluid mandates and protocols, but now they say they are working through yet another obstacle. 
"Having to also deal with negotiations and starting the school year off without a contract has been on the challenge for us, but we are willing, and we are sitting at the table — at the bargaining table — and we are trying to meet a fair contract that's for both sides," says Maria Carlson, of the OTA Executive Board.
Ossining Union Free School District did not return calls for comment by News 12.
Members of the OTA say progress is being made but that they will continue to picket on Mondays until a fair contract is settled.