Negotiations resumed Tuesday between Waukegan School District 60 and its striking teachers, but both sides were split on how much progress had been made.
“Some proposals have been withdrawn and some tentatively agreed to, so it was a very productive day,” said the district’s chief negotiator, Tony Ficarelli.
Waukegan Teacher’s Council President Kathy Schwarz did not sound hopeful.
In a statement released Tuesday afternoon and in response to the bargaining session, Schwarz said, “The Waukegan Board of Education had seventeen-and-a-half hours from the time they walked away from the bargaining table (Monday) night to make a counter proposal that shows a good faith effort at reaching an agreement with teachers. Instead, they presented us a counter proposal that showed no movement. We want to end this strike, but until the Board shows a commitment to the community it serves by taking seriously these negotiations, the strike will not end.”
The teachers are seeking better health benefits and salaries that they say are competitive with neighboring school districts. But District 60 officials say the 9 percent salary increase the teachers propose this coming year and the 7 percent increases they have asked for next year and the following year would bankrupt the district.
Students have missed four days of school since the strike began Thursday.
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