Plainfield Teachers: No Current Plans for Strike, But It's 'Always a Possibility'

APT President Dawn Bullock at an Oct. 28 school board meeting. Credit: Patch file photo.

Plainfield teachers union president Dawn Bullock on Tuesday said the organization doesn’t currently have plans for a strike, “but it is always a possibility” after more than a year of contract negotiations with District 202.

Association of Plainfield Teachers reps met again Dec. 10 with district officials as talks continue on a new three-year contract. Teachers have been working without a contract since August.

On Tuesday, Bullock said both sides are still working to come to an agreement.

“We are coming to the end of language pieces and are beginning to focus on retirement and salary,” Bullock said. APT and the district have set another meeting for Thursday, Dec. 18, she said.

Amid concerns about a possible strike, Bullock said several steps would need to be taken before that could happen.

First, the union would need to declare impasse, meaning union reps and the district are unable to move forward with negotiations on one or more issues. All “last and best” offers from both sides would have to be filed with the state labor board within seven days of declaring impasse. From that point, the labor board would have seven days to post the offers. Once the offers are posted, the union would have to wait an additional 15 days before striking.

“After the 15 days, we can strike if we have the support of the membership, which comes from a strike vote taken by the membership. We have not taken a strike vote at this time,” Bullock said, asking parents who are concerned about a strike to let district officials know.

“I would encourage parents that are concerned about this to share their concerns at a board meeting so the board knows how the community feels about this possibility,” Bullock said.

District 202 Community Relations Director Tom Hernandez said he wasn’t aware of talk of a strike, adding that “both sides continue to negotiate in good faith.”

Hernandez cited uncertainty over state funding, particularly with a new governor taking office and the “temporary” income tax hike set to expire.

“All these things are question marks that make it very hard to go out on a limb,” as far as increasing salaries, Hernandez said. “We need to find a balance between giving teachers what they want and need and deserve, and honoring the resources the community has given us.”

In October, APT members voted 965 to 737 against a tentative contact approved by union leadership and District 202 officials. Teachers have demonstrated at the last several school board meetings as negotiations drag on.

Related:

• Plainfield Teachers Union Sets Dates for Continued Contract Negotiations
• Plainfield Teachers Sound Off on Workload, Compensation
• Plainfield Teachers Reject Proposed Contract