Burr Ridge Teachers Union Authorizes Strike

Following a fourth unsuccessful attempt at mediation on April 11, the Teachers Organization of Palisades, which is the teachers union for , released the following statement:

"The teachers of Burr Ridge CCSD 180 have been working without a contract since September 1, 2011. Contract negotiations began in July of 2011 and, after ten months of efforts to negotiate a contract, TOP members have voted to authorize a strike. 

The TOP negotiation team is concerned that past events may be impacting the fair bargaining process.

At a Board of Education meeting in Fall, 2011, the President of the Board of Education stated, “The direct actions of your TOP predecessors, and their union rep, are what find you in the position you are today.” 

These “direct actions” refer to the filing of a contract violation grievance and violations of labor law against the Superintendent and Board of Education.

These matters are still pending in court. TOP is concerned that its right to take legal action has been held against it in bargaining for a new contract. The Board recently disclosed they would not consider any resolution to the contract negotiations without TOP’s willingness to drop the charges against the District.

The Board of Education made the decision to hire an attorney to be the sole representative for the district’s bargaining team. While this is a legal option, it is extremely rare for a school board and administration not to be directly engaged in the negotiation process.

In comparison to other area school districts, teachers at Burr Ridge CCSD 180 are among the lowest paid, have one of the lowest health care benefit packages, and have the longest school day.  TOP is concerned for the well-being and the future of its members."

The next meeting mediation session between the school district and the teachers union is scheduled for April 26. The district responded to with a statement on its website, which was updated Thursday after the mediation session. 

"Much to the surprise and dismay of the Board of Education, the union issued a formal Notice of Intent to Strike in the labor negotiations with the Board of Education on March 16th. Perhaps most surprising to the Board of Education is that another mediation session is scheduled for April 26th. Given the upcoming mediation session, the announcement by the union rings of bad faith. Still in an effort to reach a compromise even after the formal notice, the Board's representatives met with the TOP leadership for ten hours on April 11. At the end of that meeting, the board was informed through the mediator that TOP leadership would continue mediation on April 26th."

Latest offers from both sides

Follow the links below to read the latest offers from both sides as disclosed on the website:

Board Offer from End of Meeting 4-12-12

TOP Offer from End of Meeting 4-12-12

*Patch will update this story as information becomes available.

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