Federal mediator trying to break dead-lock in teachers strike

At issue is a contract proposal that would save the school district about $10 million over 10 years.

School in East St. Louis is canceled Monday after teachers went on strike for the second day in a row over wages.

Last week the teachers union voted down a tentative contract agreement that would have doubled the amount of time it would take for a teacher to the top of the pay scale. “We need to be in school for so we can prepare for our tests”, says East St. Louis High School freshman Kaila Poole. Compensation and insurance contributions are the two sticking points. The district has proposed to pay only 50 percent of any future increase in insurance premiums.

Lead negotiator for the board, Gary Kinshofer, said the two parties exchanged ideas during the session, but no idea gained any momentum before the sides mutually chose to call it a night. It included information such as the district’s financial trends, how the current salary schedule works, and the most recently posted offers from both parties, although there has been movement since then.

“It became apparent we wouldn’t get it solved tonight [Monday]”, he said.

Dave Comerford, legislative director for the IFT, said, “a part of the problem is the district has not made data available to support their claims that they do not have any money”. About 6,000 students have missed three days of school.

“After all, none of you have students in the district, so this strike is no sweat off your back”. “We hope during this impasse everyone will remain professional”. “Salaries are permanent expenses they can’t be maintained without funding sources”, says Culver.

Culver added: “We walked out very sad knowing that our kids would still be without their day-to-day education”.