Contract Negotiations Resume Amid Prospect Heights Teachers Strike
(CBS) -- Contract negotiations resume tonight in the strike by teachers at Prospect Heights District 23 schools.
The two sides will be back at the table only hours after rejecting a four-year proposal that the board characterized as its "best and final" offer.
Schools Supt. Debbie Wilson said she was "very disappointed" by the vote to reject and said both she and the community believed the offer was "more than fair."
Union President Bob Miller, a physical education teacher at the Betsy Ross Elementary School, said he saw progress at the table, ad said it was one reason why the union is so eager to resume bargaining.
Pay remains an issue, even though the rejected offer called for raises of between 3.25 and 3.75 percent a year over four years for those teachers who make less than $90,000 a year. Those making more would have received raises of 3 percent to start, and 2 percent in the other three years.
Miller said the teachers also want to minimize committee meetings during instructional hours.
Wilson said there is "very little, if any, room for movement" on pay.
Miller said the union negotiating team is ready to bargain in public or private and regardless of the time of day. Both sides indicated they want a quick resolution.