Elgin teachers union says contract talks will resume soon

Contract talks between Elgin Area School District U-46 and its teachers union are expected to resume soon.

In May, the Elgin Teachers Association - the union representing the district's 2,448 teachers - and U-46 administration reached a tentative agreement on a new multiyear contract for the 2018-21 school years that would have provided raises to all teachers.

It proposed switching teachers to a new compensation model with an average yearly increase of 3.88 percent over three years and offered some teachers the ability to transition to the new model over time, remaining under the current compensation system while accruing career credits. That agreement emphasized valuing teachers' experience and career development, while recognizing their contributions outside the classroom, such as working on committees and performing curriculum review. Union membership overwhelmingly rejected that deal.

"Conversations with the district have been occurring throughout the summer regarding next steps," new ETA President Barb Bettis wrote in an email to members. "This past Monday, discussion centered around the start of the school year and bargaining."

Bettis wrote classes will begin as scheduled Aug. 15. Orientation for 150 new teachers begins this week.

Union leaders are seeking more members to join a contract committee and work groups focusing on workload, compensation, school safety and MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) to reflect more voices.

"A new bargaining team will be created," Bettis said. "We are looking for members that understand this will be a large time commitment, who have a vision for a strong union that represents all members, and who have a broad understanding of the issues facing all members."

Groups will begin to meet in mid-September. The next meeting of the ETA Representative Assembly is Aug. 29.

In March 2017, the school board granted a one-year extension to the previous three-year contract, granting a base salary increase of 0.94 percent with a step increase of 3.1 percent on average. That extension expires Aug. 10.