EP Teachers' Union Gives Strike Notice

The Evergreen Park teachers union filed paperwork with late Tuesday afternoon notifying the school board of its intent to strike.

Bargaining talks between the Evergreen Park Federation of Teachers and the school board fell apart Monday evening when both sides failed to reach an agreement on a new three-year contract.

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Following the meeting, that both sides were “no where close” on a new contract.

D124 Superintendent Dr. Robert Machak said the teachers’ union has not yet given the district a specific strike date but the earliest a walkout could take place is Sept. 28.

During negotiating sessions on Monday, Machak said he though the school board had moved considerably closer to the teacher union’s “best and final offer” from Aug. 20.

“I thought it had moved considerably in areas where the union was concerned,” the district superintendent said. “I thought we were closer than a week ago. What is frustrating to me is that the union’s offer hasn’t changed since August.”

Machak added that the school board continues to change and modify its offer but with the union’s unwillingness to budge on its August offer, didn’t leave a lot of room for negotiation.

“I think [the board] is negotiating with themselves at this point,” he said.

Union representatives could not immediately be reached for comment.

Per state codes, the district's and teacher union's "best and final offers" will be posted on the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board's website on Thursday.

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Read local coverage about the CTU strike in Beverly-Mt.Greenwood Patch.