Streator Elementary teachers union to take strike vote Jan. 13

The Streator Education Association is conducting a strike vote at 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13.

The union for Streator Elementary District teachers said it showed up to meet in-person Dec. 16 for a mediation session, however, the school board’s team and a mediator did not show up. The union said all mediation sessions were agreed to be in person at the district office.

“The team refused to allow the Board to compromise the process and hide from their duty and responsibility,” the bargaining team said in a statement to members.

Streator Elementary District Superintendent Kelli Virgil said the mediator pivoted to a virtual session Dec. 16, because of inclement weather. The board said it plans to continue to meet and bargain. The union said no other mediation sessions have been scheduled until the board agrees to meet in person.

The Board and the union have been bargaining since May 16 in the hopes of finalizing a new contract. The parties met six times before requesting the assistance of a federal mediator, Virgil said. The parties continued the bargaining process with the mediator on four occasions. A strike vote does not necessarily mean a strike will occur as other formalities must be met, Virgil said.

The union is pushing for a total compensation package representing an about 34% increase in salary over three years, while seeking to change the eligibility criteria for part-time staff members to receive single coverage under the district’s group health plan, Virgil said. The district currently pays 100% of the employee’s premiums for employee-only coverage, with no out of pocket cost to the employee, the superintendent said.

“As stewards of the district’s financial resources, the Board remains committed to providing fair wages and benefits to its teachers and support staff while also ensuring that the contract is affordable sustainable without imposing greater burdens on Streator taxpayers,” Virgil said. “ ... The Board will not mortgage the future of our children’s education by capitulating to selfish and unreasonable demands of the union.”