CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Teachers went on strike Friday in Proviso Township High School District 209 in the western suburbs.
Trucks and cars honked their horns in support of striking teachers who walked along Proviso East High School on 1st Avenue in Maywood. Teachers picketed there and at Proviso West High School and Proviso Math and Science Academy.
West Suburban Teachers Union President Rachel Esposito said the 300 teachers, counselors, social workers and librarians have been without a new contract since last June.
She said teachers are ready to meet any day, any time.
“Our union has offered to meet with them every day this week…on Saturday. Our team was at the table at 5 o’clock yesterday evening ready to meet and the district turned them down,” Esposito said.
The teachers union president added, “This board and this superintendent do not want to work with us. They have constantly put barriers in the way for us to get a fair contract. Proviso teachers are among the lowest paid high school teachers in Cook County.”
The Proviso school board president said teachers have been offered a 7% raise over three years and that the union demands more than 13%.
Board President Rodney Alexander said the administration is disappointed teachers have gone on strike. He put out a statement that he had thought the district’s last proposal on Tuesday would keep teachers at work.
The next scheduled negotiation is Monday when there’s no school anyway because it’s Pulaski Day. There are 4,200 students in the district.
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