Monroeville, Pa. – Teachers at the Forbes Road Career Technology Center have announced a planned strike for Dec. 1 if their contract demands are not met. The union, the Forbes Road Education Association (FREA), represents roughly 30 educators who teach a range of technical programs to students from multiple districts, including Penn Hills, Allegheny Valley, East Allegheny, Woodland Hills, Franklin Regional, Highlands, Riverview, Plum Borough and Gateway.
In a press release, FREA President and multimedia teacher Philip Greene said the faculty’s wages have fallen behind those of peers in nearby districts. “The fact is, our wages have not kept up with our counterparts,” Greene said. “Instead of falling further behind, we’ve approached negotiations as an opportunity to catch up our teachers and ensure our school and programs continue to be successful.”
Negotiations and contract timeline
Negotiations for a new contract began in January, after the previous agreement expired at the end of June. Since the school year ended, six teachers have left the center, a loss the union attributes to the unresolved compensation issue.
Greene emphasized that a strike is a last resort. “We do not want our students to miss out on their critical training hours,” he added. “We would hope to instead see some reasonable proposals from the school, and settle this contract before Nov. 30 so there is no disruption to our students.”
Potential impact on students
If the faculty follows through with the walkout, students enrolled in the career‑tech programs would be sent back to their home schools for the duration of the strike, according to the school district’s communications partner, the Tribune.
The center’s programs, which include automotive technology, culinary arts, health sciences and advanced manufacturing, are a key pipeline for local industry. Disruption could affect both students’ hands‑on training and the businesses that rely on a skilled workforce.
School district response
School officials have not yet released a detailed response, but they have indicated a willingness to continue talks. The district’s spokesperson noted that the administration values the teachers’ contributions and is committed to reaching a fair agreement that supports both educators and students.
Community leaders have urged both sides to find common ground quickly. Monroeville Mayor Michael Brown, a longtime supporter of vocational education, said, “Our students deserve uninterrupted access to high‑quality technical training, and our teachers deserve compensation that reflects their expertise.”
What’s next?
The union has set a deadline of Nov. 30 for a tentative agreement. If no deal is reached, the Dec. 1 strike will proceed, potentially prompting the district to arrange alternative instructional plans.
Parents and students are encouraged to stay informed through the school district’s website and local news outlets as the situation develops.
Original reporting: WTAE (Hearst) – local — read the source article.
