Schools
Notice Of Intent To Strike Filed By District 203 Teachers
District 203 officials wrote that they were "disappointed" in the timing of the notice, filed 10 days before the first day of classes.
NAPERVILLE, IL — The start of school at District 203 in Naperville may be interrupted after an intent to strike notice was filed by the Naperville Unit Education Association (NUEA) on behalf of district teachers, District 203 announced Monday.
The 10-day notice of an intent to strike was filed with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) Monday after a meeting to discuss the ongoing contract negotiations between district officials and educators. Ahead of Monday's meeting, teachers announced a strike was possible if the contract is not settled by the time school starts Aug. 19.
Contract negotiations, which have been underway for months, have been delayed amid ongoing disagreements over compensation and family leave.
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Related: Strike Possible For District 203 Teachers: Report
District 203 officials posted an open letter Monday night, calling the potential strike "illegal." In the letter, district officials allege that NUEA violated the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act by not posting its most recent proposal publicly with IELRB. The IELRB prohibits a strike if proposals have not been published publicly for at least 14 days to allow for feedback from community members.
Find out what's happening in Napervillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"It is important to point out that the union has timed its illegal strike to coincide with the first day of school for students Thursday, August 19. Particularly given the difficult circumstances for students, parents, and our community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we are very disappointed that Naperville 203 educators would delay the return to school while negotiations continue," District 203's letter stated.
The letter went on to explain that both sides got closer to a resolution on compensation Monday, but "remain far apart." The current contract for District 203 teachers expired June 30.
Negotiations are set to continue Aug. 13, and then Aug. 17 and 18, if necessary.
NUEA representatives did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment Tuesday afternoon.
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