Teachers file intent to strike
|
| Paul Colletti/SVS Dixon School District teachers conducted an informational picket on the Galena Avenue bridge Friday afternoon. |
Next contract talks are scheduled for Thursday
BY MALINDA OSBORNE
SVS REPORTER
mosborne@svnmail.com
The Dixon Education Association has filed an intent to strike, paving the way for teachers to walk out as soon as Jan. 23.
The move came on the same day negotiators for both sides met for contract talks that lasted nearly 14 hours, revolving primarily around teachers' wages.
Both sides did agree to meet again for negotiations on Thursday, in addition to the previously-scheduled session on Jan. 22, giving them two opportunities to come to an agreement before a possible strike.
The intent to strike was dated Jan. 12 and filed by mail. By law, teachers unions must give their district 10 days warning before a strike.
"It doesn't mean we'll go on strike after 10 days, but it does give us the option," said Dolph Ricks, lead negotiator for the teacher's association.
On Dec. 13, teachers voted at a general meeting where they "overwhelmingly gave us the authority to issue the intent to strike," said Ricks.
Before teachers can walk out, however, they must take a full vote specifically to strike.
School Board president Doug Lee said as long as there is still talking and progress being made, there is still hope to avoid a strike.
"It's nothing you expect or look forward to, but I can't say I'm surprised," Lee said.
Under the salary system in the contract that expired in August, teachers received an annual percentage increase of 3.5 percent, and were eligible for an additional increase depending on years of service and continuing education.
The board would like to alter the former salary schedule to create larger increases in pay during the early years, and smaller increases in later years, to attract and retain better entry-level teachers.
"Our goal is to create a salary schedule to increase the base for new teachers without creating wage increases throughout the schedule we can't afford," Lee said.
The teachers' association does not agree with that philosophy. It believes long-serving teachers deserve the investment because they are less likely to leave and have greater stakes in the community. Instead, they want decent increases in pay later on, though he would not give a specific percentage.
"You're not respecting us any longer because you're giving all the money up front and giving the trickling effects later," Ricks said. "It upsets veteran teachers."
The teachers asked for a 5 percent increase in every teacher's salary, but Ricks said that's not necessarily the amount negotiators are still asking for.
The board counters that it wants to fairly compensate all teachers in the district, which Lee maintains is not happening with the former salary schedule.
"The answer might be a combination," Ricks said, referring to the salary schedule in the expired contract and the one proposed by the board.
Beyond salary issues, teachers are asking for: 15 sick days a year - up from 10 - plus 40 additional sick days on a teacher's 20th, 25th, 30th and 35th anniversaries and to be allowed to accumulate up to 400 sick days; a $100 per credit hour increase in the amount the district reimburses teachers for obtaining master's degrees and other additional education; and a $3 increase a month for family insurance coverage to $91.
The 189-member teachers' association is affiliated with the National Education Association and Illinois Education Association, the state's largest teachers' union at about 118,000 members.
Reach Malinda Osborne at 625-3600, 284-2222 or (800) 798-4085, ext. 526.
