Schools
State Teachers Union Announces Geneva Talks at Impasse
News comes as a surprise to School District, because the School Board and Geneva Education Association had agreed to a mediation session on Oct. 23.
Geneva School District 304 School Board members were surprised today when they learned through the Illiinois Education Association that contract negotiations through a federal mediator were declared at an impasse.
A Geneva School District 304 e-blast written by School Superintendent Kent Mutchler said district officials were taken off guard in part because, "following the most recent meeting on Oct. 5, both parties agreed to another mediation session on Oct. 23."
"The fact that the teacher’s union has declared impasse suggests that they have concluded that nothing can be gained by future negotiations," Mutchler said. "It is disheartening to the members of the Board of Education that the GEA has chosen this route, as the Board of Education has remained steadfast in its commitment to negotiating in good faith and coming to a fair and reasonable agreement."
The Geneva CUSD 304 Board of Education will submit its best and final offer to the GEA and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board by Oct. 19, according the the statement on 304Connects. The offer will be posted on the Geneva School District website and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board website on or about Oct. 26.
"In light of this news, it is understandable that members of the community may begin to worry about the potential for a strike," Mutchler said. "However, a declaration of impasse does not necessarily mean that a strike will occur."
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Teacher first must vote to strike. Once that vote is taken, they may not go on strike until 14 days after the best and final offers from both sides are posted. At that point, the Geneva Education Association would have to give the district at least 10 days notice of their intent to strike.
"It is our understanding that the earliest date a strike could occur is Nov. 9," Mutchler said.
"The Board of Education and GEA have a long history and tradition of working collaboratively for the benefits of students, staff and community," he added. "It is the Board’s sincere hope that the GEA will renew that spirit of collaboration and return to the table with the board."
SOURCE: Geneva School District 304
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