Valley View Teachers, Staff Vote To Authorize Strike

BOLINGBROOK, IL — Valley View Council, which includes the teachers and staff of Valley View School District, have voted to authorize a strike, according to a news release from the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

Negotiations have been ongoing since January between the union and Valley View School District, which is the 10th largest district in the state.

IFT said that 95.97 percent of voting Valley View Council members voted "yes" to authorize the strike, and voter turnout was 91.7 percent. This week’s vote does not guarantee a strike but gives the union's bargaining team the authority to call one if a fair agreement cannot be reached, according to IFT.

“The Valley View Council believes in our dedicated staff, maintaining fiscal responsibility, and expanding opportunities for students,” said Valley View Council President Jared Ploger. “We have been able to reach several tentative agreements with the Board of Education on items that strengthen our schools, but that progress stalled when the district refused to compromise on the start time issue. The Board is trying to force an incomplete plan that no one asked for, with no stakeholder input, and no consideration of how this will affect bus schedules, district costs, logistics, or staff workload. On top of that, studies show that earlier start times can hinder, rather than help, student learning. It just doesn’t make sense.”

Other issues on the bargaining table include compensation, including longevity pay for maintenance staff, security, and paraprofessionals, who have previously been excluded from this recognition of dedication and loyalty and are among the lowest paid positions in the district, according to IFT.

"We are united for a fair contract for all our staff, and most importantly, for the students we serve,” Ploger said in a release. “It is well past time for the Board of Education to recognize the people who keep this district running, the people who see and support and prepare for and teach students every day. We will have no choice but to call a strike if this Board continues to hold up this contract to push through their misguided priorities.”

The union stands ready to bargain, IFT said. The earliest date that members can strike is Sept. 15.