District 15 Nurses, Special Ed Aides Must Go Back To Work: Judge

PALATINE, IL — A Cook County circuit court judge granted an injunction Tuesday that forces nurses and special education assistants employed by Community Consolidated School District 15 schools back to work after the union representing them and other educational support staff went on strike Monday. The judge sided with the district, which argued that the absence of those specific staffers could jeopardize the health and safety of students while the schools stay open during the work stoppage by members of the Educational Support Personnel Association.

"We are notifying these staff members of the court's decision, and expect them to report to work immediately," D15 Supt. Scott Thompson said in a letter to parents following the ruling.

Bridgette Shanahan, a spokeswoman for the ESPA, said the union was disappointed by the injunction and "plan to fight the ruling to protect our members’ right to legally strike and join the picket line." Employees that fall under the injunction are being advised by the union to return to work, she said, adding that the ESPA's remaining membership will stay on the picket line. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Arlington Heights news. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

"We know that our colleagues who are being forced to go back to work will be with us in heart and spirit on the line," Shanahan said.

The ESPA represents 454 District 15 support staffers. According to district officials, Tuesday's court decision affects around 130 employees. But Shanahan said 168 nurses and paraprofessionals are named in the injunction.

More Patch Coverage:

• District 15 Support Staffers Go On Strike
• District Schools Will Stay Open During Strike
• Support Staffers OK Possible Strike

The contract between the district and its educational support staff expired in July, and both sides have been unable to come to terms on a new deal. During a barganing session that began Sunday, union negotiators presented an offer in the early hours of Monday, but district officials rejected the deal and walked away from the bargaining table without giving a counter-proposal, Shanahan said.

Thompson, however, claims ESPA reprentatives walked out just as the district was preparing to deliver its counter-offer. Negotiations are set to resume Wednesday.

Even though District 15 schools will remain open, parents can keep their children at home during the strike without the absences counting as unexcused, Thompson said. If the judge had not granted an injuction Tuesday, the district would have tried to find replacement staff for the striking nurses and aides during the work stoppage.

Images via Shutterstock and Community Consolidated School District 15

Like What You're Reading? Stay Patched In!

• Like our Crime page on Facebook
• Check out the Events Calendar for what’s going on