Dist. 211, teachers back at the table; could declare strike today

The two sides in the Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 labor squabble hope today's session with a federal mediator will avert a teachers strike.

Union President John Braglia and Superintendent Roger Thornton confirmed the two sides will meet with a mediator at 1 p.m. at the district's Palatine headquarters, the McElroy Administration Center.

Braglia said the best possible outcome would be resolution of the matter through a better offer by the district. He said he received a phone call Wednesday about the meeting.

"I've expected the call," he said. "It should have come sooner."

Earlier Coverage Stories Police, union make plans for peaceful picket [11/01/07]Union, Dist. 211 board make postseason demands [11/01/07]Strike FAQ: The facts behind the issues [10/30/07]Looks like it's a win for sports [10/30/07]New Dist. 211 stance puts coaches on spot [10/30/07]Teachers picket Dist. 211 meeting [10/26/07] Have any questions? We'll do our best to get you answers. Email Daily Herald reporter Ashok Selvam at aselvam@dailyherald.com. Related Links Twp. High School Dist. 211NW Suburban Teachers Union, Local 1211

The union could legally declare a strike any day. If today's negotiations fail, Braglia said he'd set a strike date, then notify teachers on Friday as a last resort. The union is also scheduled to picket outside the district offices at 4:30 p.m. today and Friday.

Thornton sees the meeting as a positive step.

"The goal of the gathering is to reach an agreement that is within the parameters established to the best of our ability, to meet the needs of the union membership while keeping our commitment to the taxpayer," Thornton said.

The existing three-year contract ends next July but included a clause for a salary renegotiation this year. The current deal does not provide a base-salary raise this year, though so-called step increases boost salaries for most teachers.

Assistant Superintendent David Torres said 73 percent of District 211's full-time teachers qualify for step increases.

Talks snarled in August after the district's so-called final offer -- a one-year deal with a 2.5 percent base-salary raise -- was rejected. Teachers want a 3.8 percent raise with an additional lump-sum payment they say is more in line with comparable districts.

A mediator failed to bring the sides closer together during an Oct. 9 session.

Thornton told the Daily Herald Tuesday that legal teams from both sides have been in contact informally during the week.

Union Vice President Jason Spoor denied that, saying the union hasn't had any contact with the district since Braglia addressed the school board last Thursday. A staffwide e-mail was sent to by the union denying any talks had taken place.

"(The district) said it to make us look like we're holding out. That's exactly what it sounds like to me," Spoor said.

Thornton stood by his comments and elaborated Wednesday.

"A mediation session just doesn't pop up. We were obviously working it out," he said.

Spoor also said some teachers were angry about people misconstruing the district's average salary, which in 2006 topped $84,000, among the highest in the suburbs.

Spoor said that figure is skewed by the high number of tenured and older teachers in the district. He said a fairer number for comparison is the starting salary, which was $44,229 for 2006-07. The district's starting salary ranks in the middle of pack in Illinois, Spoor said.

School board Vice President Lynn Davis hasn't been fazed by the talks, saying the atmosphere and issues are similar to 2005, when the union also threatened to strike before coming to terms.

"It's going to work out and we're going to educate the kids," she said. "We're going to keep on keeping on."

Board member Bill Lloyd cited poor communication between the board and the union as reason for the situation.

"The hope here as we move forward is that maybe we build a better bridge of communication between the board and the teachers," Lloyd said.

Balancing fiscal responsibility with retaining the district's high level of quality education remains important for board member George Brandt. He said the district wouldn't budge from its last offer.

"We want to retain the best teachers possible," he said. "I don't think anyone is arguing with that."