Hundreds Pack Auditorium As District 202 Presents Latest Teacher Contract Offer

PLAINFIELD, IL — Hundreds turned out to show their support for Plainfield teachers amid nearly yearlong contract negotiations with District 202 — and a potential strike the union says could start as soon as Halloween. District 202 held a special board of education meeting Wednesday at Plainfield South High School to present its latest offer, but made it clear in advance that while public comment would be accepted, the board would not be answering questions as negotiations continue with the Association of Plainfield Teachers (APT). No action was taken Wednesday, and a bargaining session with APT is scheduled for Thursday morning.

Some teachers and students, many dressed in green, spoke up in support of the union. Residents have been showing support online as well, with more than 5,500 members joining the "Support Plainfield Teachers and Staff" Facebook page and many changing their profile photos to a logo reading, "I support Plainfield, IL District 202 teachers."

District 202 officials presented an Oct. 11 contract offer of a five-year deal, replacing a previously rejected three-year contract that had only a one-year salary and retirement commitment. "The Board's proposal is responsive to all of the issues raised by the teachers related to the tentative agreement," according to the district, including:

• A"five-year agreement on language and economics"
• Removal of a bonus payment that does not compound
• An average salary increase of 5.2 percent in the first year, 3.2 percent in the second year and 2.7 percent in the third year
• An increase of 4.25 percent to teachers' starting salary
• A freeze on insurance premiums paid by teachers for five years, meaning teachers will continue to pay 10-12% for single and 15-16% for family
• An annual board contribution of $1,000 (single) and $2,000 (family) to teachers health savings accounts
• A 6 percent retirement incentive increase for eligible teachers during their last two years of employment
• 15 days of sick leave, 2 days of personal leave and 4 days of bereavement leave

As a condition of the salary increases in years 1 through 3, pay increases starting in year 4 would be aligned with the Consumer Price Index to "guarantee annual wage increases for the APT," the district said. According to Bullock, that "would cause a severe reduction of salary growth, make the district far less competitive in attracting and retaining quality career teachers."

The district estimates its latest salary proposal will cost $117.9 million in the first year, $121.6 million in the second and $125 million in the third. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Bullock spoke up during public comment Wednesday, saying the teacher retention rate — 87 to 88 percent over the last three years, according to board president Greg Nichols — is unacceptable. Prior to the meeting, she told the Herald-News that the new five-year proposal is "within working distance for us," seeming hopeful that an agreement can be reached, "but teachers are not willing to sacrifice their salary schedule.”

The district's proposal and letter to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) website disputes some APT claims, including the union's Sept. 13 declaration that an impasse had been reached: "Since that time, however, the parties have exchanged eight proposals — clearly impasse had not been reached."

The district also disputed claims that salaries have been stagnant following years of pay freezes, noting, "During the 2011-2012 school year, APT members were held to a hard pay freeze from the 2010-2011 schedule. Since that single year of hard pay freeze, APT members have seen an average of 15.35% in wage increases, equating to 2.90% per year, every year since 2011-2012. (Even including the frozen year, the average annual increase equates to 2.41%, every year since 2011)."

Plainfield Teachers Strike Could Start On Halloween

Teachers Reject District 202 Contract, Dispute 4 Percent Raise Claims

Potential Teachers Strike 'Unsettling,' District 202 Board President Says

But in its own documents filed with the IELRB, the union maintains that teachers have voluntarily agreed to pay freezes to help the district during tough financial times. "Teachers have done their part to help the school district during difficult times," APT said, adding, "Today the district is in good financial standing. It should be noted that when the district published its 2017-2018 budget, it incorrectly predicted a deficit budget based on inaccurate financial forecasts."

APT's filing also compares District 202 salaries for new teachers and teachers with varying degrees of experience and advanced degrees with those in nearby districts. New teaches, for example, start at $41,141 in District 202. APT compared that with starting salaries in other districts:

• $43,770 In Indian Prairie 204
• $46,715 in Lisle Community Unit School District 202
• $47,480 in Naperville District 203

APT also included Oswego Community Unit School School District 308, which has a lower starting salary of $40,650. The district compared Plainfield salaries with some not on APT's list, including Channahon School District 17 ($40,526 for starting teachers) and Reed-Custer ($39,696).

View the documents submitted by District 202 and the Association of Plainfield Teachers:

PSD Proposal by Shannon Antinori on Scribd

APT Public Posting by Shannon Antinori on Scribd

Patch file photo