'Our Members Are The Lowest Paid Among Neighboring School Districts' Joliet West Rally Set

(The following edited press release came from Amy Excell, IFT Media Director.)

JOLIET, IL — Members of the Joliet Township High School Paraprofessional Council will rally ahead of Tuesday's District 204 school board meeting to demand a fair contract with a living wage that will decrease high job turnover and ensure students can learn in safe schools.

The 110 members of the council serve as Instructional Paraprofessionals and Security Staff who provide direct academic support and safe school environments for nearly 7,000 students in Joliet's two public high schools. The paraprofessionals will be joined at the 5:30 p.m. rally by their teacher colleagues and fellow union members in a broad showing of support.

The public portion of the school board meeting begins at 7 p.m. The event takes place at Joliet West High School, 401 N. Larkin Ave.

"We've been bargaining with the school board since April and have made little progress," Council President Sarah McLaurin announced. "Despite holding two sessions with a federal mediator, board members refuse to make meaningful proposals that demonstrate they value our essential contributions to student learning and school safety.

"Our members are the lowest paid among neighboring school districts, with most barely earning minimum wage. The result has been extremely high job turnover for instructional paraprofessionals and security personnel in District 204. Students are hurt the most, particularly those with special needs who build relationships with us and rely on our support to help them learn and feel safe in school.

"We are committed to our students' safety and success," added McLaurin. "The board should feel the same way. It's time for them to stop this dangerous cycle of turnover that hurts our students and makes our schools less safe. Our members want to avoid a strike, but the school board must finally bargain with us seriously. We deserve a living wage so we can support our families and continue to do the work we love for students."