Cahokia teachers approve a new contract after a weeks-long fight with the district over salary, insurance premiums, lesson plans and job bidding, with members casting ballots at three separate meetings Wednesday.
"Of those voted we had about 2/3 that voted for it and 1/3 that did not want it to pass so a significant amount of people voted for it," says Ray Roskos, field service director with the Illinois Federation of Teachers.
"This process was done the way it should be done where the members get to decide when they settle a contract and that's exactly what happened tonight. The members made their voices heard by casting a ballot and local leadership is honoring that vote."
The deal adds money to the final year of the contract, lets teachers keep their job-bidding language, and includes compromises on health insurance and lesson plans.
Roskos says emotions ran high at all three meetings, with some members upset the fight didn't continue.
