Potential teacher strike imminent in Naperville District 203 due to contract disagreement
Naperville Teachers' Union Averts Strike After Tentative Agreement
After a protracted negotiation period lasting several months, the Naperville District 203's teachers union and the school board have reached a tentative agreement, avoiding a planned strike scheduled for August 26.
The strike authorization, approved by the Naperville Unit Education Association (NUEA), did not necessarily mean an immediate strike, but put pressure on the district to reach a deal. Ross Berkley, President of the NUEA, stated that no one wants to go on strike, but they are willing to do so if necessary to ensure the best education for students.
The key points of dispute included teacher pay, changes to the school day schedule, and the board’s latest contract proposal, which the union characterized as a major step backward that lowered base salary offers and undervalued educators' work.
However, as of August 23, a tentative contract agreement was reached. Details of the agreement are pending a formal vote before being publicly released. Both sides expressed commitment to educators, students, and maintaining Naperville’s educational standards, though specifics of the resolved disputes were not disclosed.
The board has offered raises for all four years of their contract proposal, with a compounded raise of more than 10% over the first two years and a 5% increase in starting salaries. The district claims that these measures would keep Naperville teachers among the highest paid in the state.
The union and the district have been bargaining since February, with the contract between the union and the district expiring on June 30. Negotiations are scheduled to continue on Tuesday.
Union President Ross Berkley has assured parents that there will be "plenty of notice" if teachers decide to strike. He also stated that if a strike occurs, they will give plenty of notice beforehand for childcare arrangements.
Charles Cush, President of the Naperville 203 Board of Education, believes they can find common ground that supports educators, respects taxpayers, and ensures uninterrupted learning for students. He remains committed to negotiating a fair contract with the union.
Elyssa Kaufman, a digital news producer covering breaking news and managing social media presence for a station in Chicago, is closely following the developments in this story.
With the tentative agreement in place, students in Naperville are set to return to school on Thursday. The final resolution of this dispute will provide much-needed stability for the district and its educators, ensuring that they can focus on what truly matters: providing quality education to the students of Naperville.
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