Southern Illinois teachers file strike notice
HIGHLAND, Ill. - Teachers in a southern Illinois school district have filed a notice of intent to strike as contract negotiations are ongoing.
The Belleville News-Democrat reports Tuesday that a teachers union in Highland filed the notice with the Illinois Labor Education Relations Board last week. Roughly 10 area school districts are negotiating contracts.
Highland District 5 and the Highland Education Association say they're not close to agreeing on salary and benefit changes.
The district's 174 teachers start work Aug. 12. The contract expires Aug. 31, which is the earliest date a strike would occur.
The union president says there are a number of issues to resolve. She says she's hopeful the groups will find a solution before a work stoppage.
The schools superintendent says the teachers' demands have been "very high."