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Ridgewood teachers won’t join in charity event, citing stalled contract
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012
BY JOSEPH CRAMER
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Ridgewood teachers, citing stalled contract negotiations, have elected not to participate in the district’s annual charity basketball game against the Harlem Wizards.
In an e-mail to the Federated Home and School Association (HSA) and obtained by The Ridgewood News, Ridgewood Education Association (REA) Chief Negotiator Laura Grasso confirmed that the teachers’ union would be abstaining from the sporting event, which normally pits Ridgewood teachers against the comedic basketball ensemble.
“The decision not to participate is a difficult one, but our teachers have been working without a contract since September and evening events are ones that we find at this time are going to be removed until a contract is settled,” she wrote.
Grasso added that the REA will contribute $500 toward the event, which is hosted by the Federated HSA each year.
