Contract talks ‘are making progress’
By Judy Masterson jmasterson@stmedianetwork.com January 6, 2012 9:48PM
Zion-Benton High School students Sonia Sajuan (left), 18, Erica Robinson, 17, Robin Robinson, 16, all of Zion and teacher Brent Hall of Kenosha, Wisconsin walk the picket line in front of the school on 21st Street. | Thomas Delany Jr.~ Sun-Times Media
Strike
updates
Both Zion-Benton High School campuses are closed and extracurricular activities, including athletic events, are canceled until further notice, due to the teachers’ strike. Zion-Benton Township High School District is providing updates on its Web site at zbths.org or by calling (847) 731-9300.
Article Extras
Updated: March 7, 2012 1:45AM
Contract talks continued late Friday and so did the teacher’s strike in Zion-Benton Township High School District 126.
The strike was called Thursday after more than 10 hours of federal mediation, which began at 5 p.m. Wednesday, failed to produce a tentative agreement. Negotiating teams for the 300-member Zion-Bention Federation of Teachers and the ZBTHS School Board met again at 9 a.m. Friday at North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor.
Contacted in late afternoon, ZBFT Council President Corinne McGue struck a positive note.
“We are making progress,” McGue said. “But the progress has only started happening since we’ve gone into sidebar — smaller groups — including presidents of both sides. What we’re discovering is it’s all about chemistry.”
But 2,800 ZeeBees — Zion-Benton students — weren’t enjoying their chemistry, or any other subject, after the walk-out. Some, like senior Taylor Lindblad, joined union members in walking picket lines in front of the district’s two campuses. Lindblad’s sign read, “Students want their teachers treated right.”
“Our teachers do a lot more than people give them credit for,” Lindblad said. “They’re coaches, mentors and sometimes they take on a parental role.”
A longtime science teacher, who asked not to be identified, said he and other educators in the district have spent four years working to improve the curriculum.
“I’ve come in summers to work on the curriculum on my own time,” the teacher said. “It’s hard to make that kind of commitment when you don’t feel valued.”
The two sides are at odds over issues including pay structure and health insurance costs. The district has proposed doubling the number of steps on the salary schedule. The union has offered to accept more steps, but not as many as the district wants. The district is also proposing that union members pick up the cost of any health insurance increases.
Board attorney Anthony Ficarelli argues that the district is in “a dire financial situation.”
“The union has to come to grips with the severe economic circumstances Zion is facing,” he said.
“The board has seized on tough financial times as an opportunity to demand drastic structural changes to the contract that will harm the ability to attract and retain good teachers,” countered Michelle Standridge, field service director for the Illinois Federation of Teachers.
Comments Click here to view or make a comment