Sept. 02--Teachers in Prospect Heights School District 23 were expected to step up pressure this week on the school board to negotiate harder to reach a deal to replace the contract that expired on June 30.
An informational picket was planned at a meeting of union officials and the board, which learned through the media that the union had filed an intent to strike with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board. A strike vote would not be taken until later this month.
Both sides have met twice with a federal mediator, but failed to reach an agreement.
In an Aug. 27 letter to the community posted on the district's website, board president Mari-Lynn Peters said the district and the Prospect Heights Education Association (PHEA), the union that represents 150 teachers and educational support staff, have been meeting with a mediator "in an effort to negotiate a fair, equitable and fiscally responsible contract."
Peters said the union's economic requests include $1.3 million in salary increases over three years..
"This amount is beyond the anticipated new revenue the district is expected to collect over the three years of the contract," Peters said. "The district does not believe borrowing money to pay salaries is financially responsible nor is it sustainable over time."
PHEA president Bob Miller was not immediately available for comment. A posting on the union's website stated: "As teachers and education support professionals, we know that students, parents and community members are growing increasingly concerned about the unsettled nature of our negotiations. We want you to know that we share your concern and are working hard to resolve remaining issues in a way that is fair to everyone."
Peters said that as of Aug. 27, the board of education had not yet received official confirmation of the union's intent, and she was "disappointed" to learn that "the union has taken a strike authorization vote."
"We are extremely disappointed to read this in the paper, but want you to know that the board remains willing and available to continue negotiations in the hopes of working together for a contract without disruption to the educational process," Peters said. "Two sessions with the mediator is not nearly enough, and much can be accomplished and resolved through additional dialogue and negotiations. That said, we must be prepared for a potential strike."
A strike would affect 1,570 students in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade at four schools: Dwight D. Eisenhower, Betsy Ross and Anne Sullivan Elementary Schools, and Douglas MacArthur Middle School.
In addition to Prospect Heights, the district's boundaries include areas of Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, and Wheeling.
kcullotta@tribpub.com
