Politics & Government
Is a Teachers' Strike Possible in Geneva? Green Buttons Show Solidarity on First Day of School
School District 304 administrators and teachers' union leaders aren't talking, but school started Wednesday without a contract—and with signs of teacher solidarity.
Green buttons on the lapels of teachers at Geneva schools Wednesday were symbolic of growing tensions as educators begin the 2012-13 school year without a contract.
School District 304 administators and School Board members have been negotiating with representatives of the Geneva Education Association since February, and the two sides have begun mediation.
The present contract expired Aug. 15.
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According to a PDF on the School District website, the GEA is the bargaining unit that includes all "teachers, librarians, nurses, counselors, replacements for leave of absences of one semester or more (in the period they are employed), and similar positions for which a certificate is required."
Teachers showed up at the Aug. 13 School Board meeting wearing green shirts and showing solidarity, according to an article in the Kane County Chronicle.
Find out what's happening in Genevawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
At the Aug. 13 school board meeting, about 100 teachers stood as high school science department chairman Kevin Gannon addressed the board on their behalf.
At the meeting, Science Department Chairman Kevin Gannon addressed the board, noting that Geneva teachers are paid less on average than teachers in Batavia School District 101 and St. Charles School District 303.
The Chronicle story cites 2011 state report card data, which states Geneva’s average annual teacher salary is $72,305, compared to $74,711 in St. Charles and $76,599 in Batavia.
