On the lines again

Warwick Beacon ·

Although Mayor Scott Avedisian has joined talks and mediation sessions on a teacher contract are ongoing, the Warwick Teachers Union held another informational picket Wednesday in front of City Hall. Asked whether the action was aimed at the mayor, union President Darlene Netcoh said it “wasn’t a stick in the eye to Mayor Avedisian.” She said the picket had been scheduled to remind the public that teachers have been without a contract for nearly two years and that the School Committee and administrators continue to disregard the terms of the prior contract even though the union is seeking to abide by those terms. “All we ask is that they follow a contract,” she said. Speaking of Superintendent Philip Thornton, Netcoh said, “He has a three-year contract; would he be coming to work without one?” Netcoh said recent talks have given her optimism that an agreement can be reached, adding, “The mayor has been very helpful to the process.” The teachers got some unsolicited support from Teamsters Local 251, whose rig rolled through Apponaug blowing its horn in approval. (Warwick Beacon photo)