The Paraeducator’s union says it’s set to walk over labor disputes with the Lyons Township High School Board of Education contract negotiations.
The union, which represents dozens of employees who work with special needs students in the district, have not had a contract in place since last fall. This is despite calls for a renegotiation of a collective bargaining agreement largely over money.
Yet, the district has not responded to any of the union’s requests. Their last last deadline for communication requested by the paraeducator’s union was Feb. 7 and the two sides have been in negotiations since last summer. Talks will not resume until the spring, and union officials aren’t hopeful.
“As of now, the BOE and the Paraeducator Association will not have another mediation session until sometime in March, four months after the most recent offer,” said Nick Castiglione, LTHS Paraeducator Association spokesperson in a news release. “They are clearly not treating this as the priority it should be. At this point, any and all options are on the table in regards to our response,” he said.
In a phone interview, Castiglione said the district has offered pay increased, though not in line with what members need and also not in line with what workers can expect elsewhere. The district’s offer of an 8 % increase in salaries brings the starting salary up $1.55 per hour, or just slightly over $15 an hour — the minimum wage proposed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
“I think what they don’t intend to expose is that $1.55 comes out to a very little raise,” said Castiglione.
He said the union represents 56 members and 74 employees who work with special needs students. He said the district has had a good track record of getting employees, though keeping employees could be a more difficult proposition as better paying jobs become available.
“We’ve had a pretty good ability to recruit people, but as far as retaining employees, that’s been a huge problem and getting new paras in the door,” Castiglione said.
He said employees are on the verge of a walkout, though nobody wants that.
“Everything is currently on the table,” Castiglione said. “We’re working on different collective actions short of a strike now.”
School officials posted a statement online on Jan. 28:
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“The Board of Education is responsible for ensuring that Lyons Township High School District #204 provides the highest quality education to all students while also maintaining fiscal responsibility to safeguard the District’s assets and respect taxpayer interests. We are committed to optimize resources to foster the full growth of all students.
“Paraeducators are a critical part of our overall school success, and we fully recognize and appreciate the unique and essential support they provide to our students and community.
“After 10 months of negotiating in good faith with the LT Paraeducator Association (LTPA), including sessions with a federal mediator, the Board of Education has offered the LTPA a proposed agreement that honors the quality of work our paraeducators perform, and ensures that our paraeducators are compensated with an agreement that remains highly competitive.”
The full statement can be found at https://www.lths.net/Page/13036.
The district offered no new comments on the negotiations, but Castiglione said he and his members are prepared to walk.
It’s not yet clear whether or not the district will offer a larger salary increase for the paraeducators as they have not released any statements to that effect.
Castiglione said he’s disappointed with the district.
“I find it very disheartening to find a school that I have a lot of regard for is treating a very low paid population of their employees who take care of some of the most vulnerable kids, and they’re not making it a priority.”
This story has been corrected.