Lakewood teachers union OKs new contract [View All]

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080227/NEWS02/802270424/1070/NEWS02

By MATTHEW McGRATH • TOMS RIVER BUREAU • February 27, 2008

LAKEWOOD — A roar of "ayes" erupted from Lakewood Middle School on Tuesday as the teachers union overwhelmingly approved a labor agreement with the Board of Education.

The Lakewood Education Association voted 244-40 in favor of the contract, which would be retroactive to July 1.

"I'm very happy with the manner in which the teachers presented their needs to us," board President Chet Galdo said earlier Tuesday.

The teachers will receive a 4.3 percent increase for this school year, 4.5 percent for the 2008-09 school year and 4.4 percent for 2009-10, school officials said.

"I think the negotiations team did very well despite the climate," union President Carol Cousins said. "I'm very pleased with the package and the numbers."

FULL story at link.