Students March In Support Of East St. Louis Teachers

More than 6,000 students have an unexpected day off in East St. Louis as teachers go on strike.

Dave Comerford, of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, said in an email that the union contacted the district to get back to bargaining as soon as possible. The contract also doubles the length of time it takes for a teacher to reach the salary schedule’s top pay tier.

Students walked out of the East St. Louis Senior High School Wednesday morning in protest to show support for their teachers.

Union President Sharon Crockett said she presented the district’s tentative agreement to the members, and they voted it down “overwhelmingly”.

The strike is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m.

At this point union officials say they are still waiting to hear from mediators and the district to come to an agreement. However, the teachers claim the district has a $25 million surplus and have been giving raises along with bonuses to administrators.

Teachers Local 1220 represents about 400 teachers and staff in District 189.