U-46, teachers union head into extended bargaining session Saturday

Bargaining teams representing Elgin Area School District U-46 and its 2,700-member teachers union were unable to reach a tentative agreement in the five originally scheduled negotiating sessions.

Thursday's session, the last of the five, lasted for about 9 hours, Elgin Teachers Association President Tim Davis said. They ended when an attorney brought in to facilitate the negotiation had to leave for another commitment.

The sides will enter into their first extended negotiation session Saturday.

Union officials have expressed hope of bringing a tentative deal before its representative assembly and general membership later this month. Davis said no other backup sessions have been scheduled at this time.

"We're not done yet, but the potential exists (Saturday) to reach an agreement," Davis said.

He declined to comment on any particular sticking points yet.

This year's contract negotiations represent a significant departure from past talks. U-46 teachers went on strike seven times between 1978 and 1991. The last teacher contract negotiations ended in December 2007, only after a federal mediator had been brought in.

With U-46 addressing at least a $41 million budget hole next year, and 732 teachers receiving pink slips, the new deal serves as a major factor, along with state funding, in the timing and number of callbacks the district can issue.

While the union has brought as many as 30 items to the table in the past, Davis has said this year's issues are in the "single digits" with salary and benefits a major focus.