UPDATED: Strike Date Set in District 46

Update, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 3 p.m.

Jim Pergander, business agent for the Lake County Federation of Teachers Local 540, told Patch the Jan. 16 strike date was chosen because "we wanted to give everyone enough time to prepare."

The date, he said, "looks like it's way out there, but it's closer than we think."

The holidays were another reason the date was set in January.

However, said Pergander, "Our priority is to settle this at the table."

Another negotiating session is scheduled for Nov. 28. Pergander said whether the strike happens "literally depends on how things go on the 28th."

That does not mean, though, that both sides can't or won't have an additional session beyond that date if they are close to a settlement, he said.

After Monday's session, Pergander said there has been "limited progress" in contract negotiations, which D46 Supt. Ellen Correll confirmed.

To date, the district has spent $45,000 in attorney fees related to contract negotiations.

Update, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 11:15 a.m.

District 46 Supt. Ellen Correll told Patch that at this time, the district had no plans to keep the school buildings open should the strike happen. She also said she did not know why the strike date of Jan. 16 was chosen, but guessed it was "to give both sides an opportunity to meet and solve the issues," as there is another negotiating session on Nov. 28.

Correll said there has been "limited progress" on the contract sticking points and that she was not at liberty to divulge further details.

Original Post

The following announcement was posted on the Website of Grayslake School District 46. Patch is working to obtain additional information, so keep checking back.

LCFT Teachers' Union Strike Date Announced
The District 46 Board of Education and the Grayslake Federation of Teachers met again last night (November 12) and were unable to come to agreement. The teachers have declared January 16, 2013 as their strike date. Both sides have agreed to meet again on November 28. Please continue to monitor the CCSD 46 website for more information as it is available.

Ellen Correll
Superintendent of Schools

Negotiations

The school board and union (Lake County Federation of Teachers Local 504) had its first negotiating session with a federal mediator on Oct. 30. The last session was held Nov. 12. Another session is scheduled for Nov. 28 and is expected to be the final session before the Jan. 16 strike date.

In October, the union, which represents more than 300 District 46 teachers, voted to authorize a strike as a result of the school board declaring an impasse in contract negotiations.

Both sides have made their best and final offers available for public inspection.

The school board and union have reached a tentative agreement on all non-economic items brought forth during negotiations, but sticking points remain related to salary, retirement and flex benefits teachers can receive in lieu of health insurance.

Teacher Negotiations to Continue in District 46

D46 School Board and Teachers' Union Post Final Contract Offers

D46 Teachers' Union Approves Authorization to Strike if Necessary

Grayslake D46 Teachers' Union Prepares to Vote to Authorize a Strike