Waukegan Teachers Strike Continues Wednesday
(CBS) -- Classes are canceled Wednesday, for a 10th day in Waukegan District 60, even as negotiations resumed in an attempt to reach tentative agreement on a new contract.
The two sides said that they negotiated for nine hours on Tuesday. They then broke to eat dinner and to attend a school board meeting, at which speakers voiced support for the teachers.
Parents said the teacher strike is a hardship for them because they have had to stay home from work to watch youngsters. Athletes are angry because of canceled and forfeited games and meets.
Seniors, such as Riley Taylor, said they fear the labor dispute will cost them a shot at college.
"We have college recommendation letter that we aren't getting done. There is a lot that we are not getting done because we are not allowed to go to school," she said. "We are not allowed to contact our teachers. Does that make any sense?"
A few asked why the board wasn't negotiating, instead of a team led by a hired negotiator.
Lake County Federation of Teachers President Mike McGew said the board can easily afford the pay raises the teachers seek. He said the teachers seek 6 percent a year for three years, while the board's latest offer, as of 8 p.m. Tuesday, included 3 percent a year over two years.