WGN and Fox must be wrong too because they reported it the same thing. Everything in the newspapers and TV is lies. Concerned knows all.

As you know, Southside, WGN and FOX weren't in the meeting, They're just going by what the union told them. Concerned may not "know all" but they sure seem to know more than you!

Where is the board news conference? Why don't they talk? C'mon Bob. And I know a hell of a lot more than you.

Here's the Board's press release... if you go to the district website, you can click on the hyperlinks and view the attachments. Kudos to the board for providing this.

October 3, 2012 – 5:00 pm – October 4, 2012 at 1:20 am

The Board initiated a meeting with the Union. The Union requested that the meeting take place at a neutral site. Thanks to the Village and the EPPD for graciously offering meeting rooms, the use of a copier, and security. The meeting began with the Board’s request to review ground rules. Both parties then spent time sharing issues and interests. Both parties provided hand written proposals due to the absence of a printer. The Union presented a proposal on Insurance (attachment A), followed by further counterproposals from the Board (attachment B); the Union (attachment C), and the Board (attachment D). Due to the late hour and the need to access and examine additional data, the Board requested to recess the meeting until later in the day. The Union agreed to meet at Central Junior High at 4:30pm.
- Latest Board and Union Update 10/4/12

Concerned, thanks for posting the link to the D124 supplied information. I logged on to do just that. Again, I urge everyone to read and critically evaluate the information issued by both parties.

believe it it is true

the disrespect towards this teachers union by the school board is insane. They should be ashamed of themselves

Just as there have been calls for changes in the school board, I think that the Union should consider making changes in who represents them at the table. Clearly, the current team is not achieving the desired results and may be acting in a way that furthers divisiveness. I firmly beleive that both sides are to blame for this horrible, contentious situation.

CQM, I'm with you in that I'm really turned off by the rallies, mobs and other activities. Personally, I've avoided any of the picketing sites b/c I don't support the strike and actions of the staff (although I fully support a fair contract for them).

Shame on you CQM for the nonsense you write. Last time I checked this is America, where you have every right to assemble, pump your fist, honk your horn, and/or yell outside. Union hasn't broken a single law. Sounds like you are one of those crazies who bother union police officers with stupid phone calls. And there isn't one Catholic school teacher who wouldn't take a union teacher salary and benefits if they had the chance. Glad you are not my neighbor.

Southsider
The fist pumping and yelling may not be illegal but certainly exposing peoples children and families thereby creating safety concerns to somehow prove a a point should be. I think you are confused as to who the crazies are. And the point was the Catholic school teachers are not demanding and fist pumping..they are putting in the time and effort to educate children with out the nice benefits. And you prove CQM's point exactly. Who wouldn't take the union teachers salary and benefits!! That is exactly the reason why they should be happy with the deal they are given! Because it is so much more than many others get for their hard work everyday. Well stated southsider.

tmn, NO LAWS WERE BROKEN!!! What safety concerns come with fist pumping? Why do so many Catholic teachers supplement their income with other jobs? I see that first hand. No teacher should have to work 2 jobs. Everyone tells me it is a good deal. My household couldn't make it on their average salary. Not many teachers driving around in Ferraris. Teachers didn't create this recession, but they sure are being told to pay for the politicians' and Wall Street's mess. They deserve better.

Southside...ummmm, fist pumping doesn't create potentially dangerous situations does, putting personal phone numbers on signs does.....Guess I should of spelled that out more CLEARLY for you since you were unable to connect the dots from the overall conversation regarding the behavior displayed by the picketers. And there are many people that supplement their incomes with second jobs, certainly the work ethic in my home growing up. Yep, best scenario would be for no one to have to seek out a second job, myself included. However, many of us have to take on that burden and make ends meet while working a 12 month year, and getting home well past evening hours. Get real. Teachers didn't create the recession as the vast majority of people who haul off to work everyday didnt either. The taxpayers of EP deserve the chance to speak to how their hard earned taxes are spent.

Southside, are you serious? 1. Why would you throw in "union" police officers like they are going to be biased to the teachers case and not do their job or something? 2. "and there isn't one catholic school teacher that wouldn't take a union teacher salary and benefits if they had the chance" Obviously, if they wanted that they WOULD be a union public school teacher but for some people it isn't all about the money or benefits, they just love to teach and that is why they CHOOSE to stay in catholic schools.

We all have an idea what teachers do! This is the lamest response and I am tired of hearing about it. A lot of people in EP have labor intensive, demanding jobs and are exhausted when we get home at the end of a long day. The difference is we don't continuously whine about it and expect sympathy because of the jobs we have selected. I am an RN. It is demanding, both emotionally and physically. And once again, I would never just walk out on my patients. This strike is ridiculous, the same as the CPS strike. You are all replaceable. Show up to work and do your job, or find a new career.

I agree with SC!

So now we are questioning people's religious beliefs because they express an opinion on here? What next?
This is really getting out of hand... civility should be the word of the day.

Hey Concerned, if you write something here, you are fair game. What some people are writing here is pure garbage. Questioning teachers' integrities is no different than questioning a persons values and beliefs. You all seem to know everything. Run for office. Fix it.

R Gibbons
Actually the Catholic School system teaches the principals of social justice and benefits of hard work and sacrifice. a concept that is sadly lost on some and replaced by greed and selfishness. Perhaps you should bestow tolerance and understanding towards others who take a different view point other than your own. If someone takes the view that a certain level of salary and benefit is appropriate based on numerous reasonable factors, how does that make them not tolerant or understanding? Just foolish.

Hey Southside, if you want to make a difference commenting on here, stick to the issues and the facts. To do otherwise could be construed as an attack, and only contributes to the hostility. I think we have enough of that already.
I would also dismiss any poster that questions teacher's integrities, but very little of that is showing up here. Most of us are defending the board because it is fiscally prudent for our village. Nothing personal about that opinion.

Hey world!!! CQM graduated from Loyola and says board's offer is fair. What was everyone thinking? Game over. CQM for president of Earth. Go Ramblers because you are CQM!!!

Thanks for finding that info, Concerned. Interesting that the Comerford (and even Pajeau, in most cases) makes more than our principals do.

This means nothing. These people are not on the level of teachers. They are no different than the higher ups that run the companies everyone else works for. They are not public employees. What do their salaries have anything to do with what’s going on. You mine as well post the salaries of all the bosses of every company in the nation and hate on them too. Nice try though.

KB - Union leaders most certainly are public employees. Where do you think the money comes for their salaries? First I (the "public") pay my property tax, then a large portion of that goes towards the public schools in my district. The district then allocates a large portion of what they receive to pay teachers salaries. The union then takes their cut, it the form of dues. They then use that money to pay handsome salaries to their leaders. Oh, and even more insulting to me, they use all the rest of their dues to contribute to politicians who will then do their bidding for them, most of which I would never vote for myself. The union backed guys usually win, because how can an opponent make up for the kind of money they contribute? How is that for taxation without representation for you? Read what President FD Roosevelt had to say about public sector unions. He knew it was an unholy alliance even back then.

Concerned,
So you are claiming that that because teachers take a portion of their salary to pay dues that it turn pay for the salaries of the Union Officials, that makes the Officials public employees? That is idiotic. If that were the case, the supermarket where the teachers buy their groceries, the gas station where they buy their gas, the clothing store where they buy their cloths, are all publicly funded because the teachers use their salaries to buy good from them which pays their employee’s salaries. Union officials are not public employees. Teachers have every right to take their money they earn, and spend it whatever way they want, and that doesn’t mean the tax dollars are funding the people/places/organizations where they spend it. 124 teachers do not, by law, have to give any union any money. It is their choice to do so. They can choose to join another union if they want, or be an independent teachers organization. Please, go to the school proposed budget on the district website, look under the ESTIMATED DISBURSEMENTS/EXPENDITURES, and tell me the total money they project will go towards union representation for the teachers this year. You apparently have no idea what being a public employee means.

Wonder if Bush was behind 9/11? Wonder if the Mafia killed Kennedy? Wonder if Elvis is alive? I don't know if that is the case, but it is certainly something to consider. Conspiricy in EP!!!

Southside, questioning the motivating factors of the Union is fully appropriate - just as many have publicly questioned the Board's motivation.

If anyone has more info on the Union's process works, I'd love to hear it.

Cathleen,
Not much dedication when you walk out and leave your students in the dust....Lawsuit against nuns? Really?? As you speak to what damages property values, you may want to consider how an over sized hulking building with open access to a girls high school encourages higher property values. As you stated, sure there are many dedicated public school teachers, ones who are willing to hash out a labor agreement while there students remain in school. And looking over the comments, it seems you have missed the point...there are many who work every day, and struggle the same expenses and costs...but dont get to walk out on their jobs and then expect to get paid for doing so.

Cathleen - very good points. Thank you for your comments.

You sound like "Bob". Are you "Bob"?

Thank you. Whatever sympathy the teachers could be gaining is getting destroyed because of all their grandstanding. I know it's "the union way", and although it is not illegal, it is completely the wrong message the educators should be bringing to the kids. Thank you again, J. Doyle, for one of the most reasonable comments here.

By the tone of your sarcasm, you are obviously against the people who teach your children. They worked over a month into the school year while they worked and waited for a deal both sides could agree on. How long are they suppose to wait? They were insulted before they ever struck on Facebook and in these comment pages after every story. That is not rumor but fact. Every time they speak someone cries lies. They are professionals who deserve a lot better than they've been given. They are not in school right now but the board doesn't meet them till late afternoon? Why isn't the board working around the clock to resolve this? And if you think the board shouldn't budge and teachers should be unhappy at work, than you care the least about you kids' education.

My previous comment was in no way meant to be seen as sarcastic. On the contrary, I am completely behind the teachers of my children. I have lived in EP for 12 years and have always been unfailingly supportive of the teachers. I have tried to remain unbiased for the past 6 months as I have sat at schoolboard meetings listening to both sides of a very explosive situation. That being said, in response to "how long were they suppose[d] to wait," there is no clear answer. For as long as it takes, I guess. I believe they should have waited until a decision was reached that was acceptable to both sides. I believe if they want to be treated as professionals, they need to behave as professionals AT ALL TIMES when in the public eye, and that has not been the case. It is NOT professional to devote hours of instructional time a week inviting other people's children to walk a picket line. Likewise, it is NOT professional to walk away from your job in the middle of it-- for any reason. If they deserve more than they are being given, then they need to be respectful of the children they are affecting with this work stoppage, because they certainly deserve more than they are being given! The ramifications of this strike will be far reaching and felt by everyone for a long time to come. Today was supposed to be the 8th graders step-up day at the high school. Tuesday was supposed to be basketball try-outs at CJHS. How will our kids be compensated for those losses?

Furthermore, the teachers chose to not be in school right now. The schoolboard, as elected volunteers, do not have that luxury. They are also all professionals, but they have chosen to work said jobs during the day and take care of schoolboard business in the evenings, as I believe the teachers should also have chosen as their course of action. I think that would have been respectful on both sides. I have certainly not said that the schoolboard shouldn't budge; I think there is room to move on both sides.
Additionally, I have maintained a civil tone as I have shared my opinions throughout today on this forum. DO NOT question my devotion to the education and well being of my children. If their teachers are unhappy at work, there are options available to them: stick it out and negotiate with the schoolboard until an acceptable compromise can be reached, or quit your job and find a new one. I believe those would both have been professional.

JDoyle - they did! And they are! And they are within their rights in this great country to strike.

The signs with the numbers were parents and students earlier today, when I went past Central.

I support your request. No one should be doing this. The parents made an error, if they are, in fact, responsible. The leaders of the strike should have to approve all signage. This never should have been allowed. I'm sorry for you and your family and thank Kathy for her work on our district's behalf.

I agree that the progress on insurance is good news, but keep in mind that there are still several unresolved major issues. I will be very surprised - but pleasantly so! - if the kids are back in school by Tuesday.

Yes, you are correct, an agreement about all 3 issues (salary, pension and health insurance) is what we need. However, last night's proposed contract by the union was the first time it changed its health insurance offer since August 30th. This is major movement on the union's side and I give them credit for having made it. I also give the board credit for having moved toward the union's latest proposal.
The union's last offer that addressed salaries did not tie salary raises to CPI, which seems to be a very important thing from the board's perspective. However, the salary issue didn't look to be that far apart, either.
The biggest bridge to be built here seems to be in the pension category, specifically, the severance payments and health insurance payments for retirees.
Let's stay positive. Both sides have moved their positions substantially. Thank you to both sides and keep working on it. You can reach an agreement. Despite the rancor you are getting there. Bring your best selves to the tables, both sides take a deep breath, and your contract will be settled.

That piece is a riot, thanks for the laugh!