Roxana teachers vote to authorize strike

ROXANA - The Roxana Education Association (REA) membership overwhelmingly voted in favor of authorizing a strike. This vote gives the REA bargaining team the authority to call a strike when they deem it necessary. The first day REA could legally go on strike is Sept. 3.

"I can tell you the absolute last thing we want to do is go on strike," REA President Kim Jones said. "We'd much rather be in the classroom with our students than out on the picket line, but we're willing to do whatever it takes to make sure we get the best contract possible for our students, our staff and our community."

REA declared impasse the first week of August and initiated the public posting process. REA has been bargaining with the Roxana Community Consolidated School District 1 since January, and they are now in federal mediation.

Today is the first day of school for District 1. At the District 1 Board of Education (BOE) meeting on July 24, the district stated they have a surplus in the education fund. REA and the district have been bargaining for nearly seven months and have had four federally-mediated bargaining sessions.

"It's unbelievable that we're at this point. Our contract is expired, but our members are still showing up to work, so our school year can begin," Jones said. "We love our community and want to do what's best for our students. We are hopeful we can come to an agreement soon, so we can put our sole focus where it belongs: on our students."

The main issues at the bargaining table are:

• Vacancy language: Currently, teachers in Roxana are given an advanced opportunity to apply for any open positions within the district. The district is looking to eliminate the policy.
• Pay scale: The wages being proposed by the district do not value our experienced educators. In fact, their financial offers do not even keep pace with inflation.
• Respect/communication: The district's overall lack of respect and communication during the bargaining process have made reaching an agreement extraordinarily difficult.

At the District 1 BOE meeting on July 24, the district stated they have a surplus in the education fund. REA and the district have been bargaining for nearly seven months and have had four federally-mediated bargaining sessions.

"The reality is the district's proposed wage increases leave our members with a salary increase so small it doesn't even keep up with inflation," Jones said. "Meanwhile, the District 1 administration and the BOE are both well aware that we have the funds to settle this. This is not about money, it's about their lack of respect for our teachers."

REA is planning a "black out" on Tues., Aug. 18. REA members will be wearing black to school and are asking community members to also wear black to encourage the district to settle this contract as soon as possible.

"We have been overwhelmed by the community support we've been receiving. It's wonderful to know we have so many parents and families supporting us," Jones said.

REA represents about 140 teachers and licensed educators who support nearly 1,700 students in District 1. There are currently no bargaining dates scheduled, although the REA remains willing to bargain whenever possible.

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state's largest union. IEA represents PreK-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.