HAMILTON, N.J. – Parents of Hamilton Township school children slammed the teachers unions for their tactics during an ongoing contract dispute, and say it will result in an abbreviated spring break for families next year.

The parents were upset their school district was recently forced to close due to teachers’ decisions to take off on Election Day and Veterans Day.

The Hamilton Township Education Association (HTEA) used the off days to draw attention to the fact union members are have been working under the terms of an expired contract for more than 500 days, reports Shorenewstoday.com.

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As a result of the union’s self-serving action, the district will make up the two missed days by subtracting them from the spring break vacation.

A number of parents are outraged that the actions of the union will result in the loss of spring break days. They’re also upset that teachers are bringing their contract dispute into the school by wearing black and handing out leaflets at various events.

On Tuesday, some parents used the Board of Education meeting to voice their displeasure with the tactics.

“The HTEA has disenfranchised those who have been on their side,” said parent Denise Brasher, according to the news site.

Brasher added that her family needs to completely change their plans for spring break, as a result of the union.

HTEA President Jeff Gildiner spoke in defense of the union’s tactics.

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“It inconvenienced parents, the administration, but also ourselves,” Gildiner said. “Somewhere, somehow, we had to take a stand. Not one staff member wanted to take the day off.”

But parents in the crowd were not buying his explanations.

Shannon Branca called the HTEA’s actions a “direct attack against students and families.” She pointed out that more than 3,000 children and their families were affected, according to the report.

“The teachers were paid for those days; families were not,” she said. “Many parents had to take time off from work, and in other cases, kids were left home alone who shouldn’t have been.”

Meanwhile, teachers proceeded to continue placing the blame on the board members.

“You ran for office, so this is a position you wanted,” teacher Christa Fritz said. “The days off rest on your shoulders as well.”

The public comment continued on with teachers and parents each making their respective arguments, until union President Gildiner ended it with a warning to the board that brought out his true colors.

“We may take these actions again,” Gildiner said, alluding to upcoming holidays on which the schools are not scheduled to be closed. “We will continue to wear black, and we will not arrive to school early, and we will not be staying late. You have a choice to be in your positions, we do not. These are our jobs.”