The North Smithfield Teachers Union has filed legal charges against the School Committee with the Rhode Island Labor Relations Board. The union alleges the board members have refused good faith negotiations during the bargaining process. According to a press release from the union, the decision was challenging and came after “… months of no progress in mediation on their contract.”

The union also explains an agreement was reached in December 2014, but in March 2015, the committee rejected its own proposed settlement. The union believes the backpedaling could be related to a new elected committee member.

According to the union’s release, “Mediation has not led to consistent or meaningful participation from the … committee…”

The union recently submitted a request for a new mediator, which is not considered a common occurrence. According to someone assisting the teachers, mediation usually brings parties closer, but in this case the process seemed to drive them apart. He also believes these unusual circumstances could be related to the turnover of  the school committee’s  experienced during this time frame, pointing out “There’s been repeated changing of who’s on their bargaining team… and an inability to be consistent in what they’re looking to negotiate…”

He further points out that along with inconsistency, there has also been a problem with lack of respect for teachers in the union, and mentions how highly the district ranks, thanks in part to its teachers. The teachers claim the only thing they want is for the committee to negotiate in good faith.

The committee members were contacted for a statement but did not provide one.