WEST FRANKFORT, IL – After more than five months of bargaining, the Frankfort CUSD 168 school board continues to refuse to reach a fair agreement with West Frankfort teachers who are members of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 817. To show the community's strong support for the dedicated professionals and fellow unionists who help their students learn and thrive, union members from West Frankfort and neighboring communities will rally and march with the teachers this weekend.

"While our union has repeatedly made proposals that will help save the district hundreds of thousands of dollars and keep our incredible teachers in West Frankfort schools, Superintendent Donkin and the board continue to demand unreasonable cuts that will devastate teachers, hurt our students, and have a negative impact on our district in the long-term," said AFT Local 817 President Tim Aldridge. "Our fellow union and community members know that our teachers are putting students first, and they have stood solidly with us throughout negotiations. We're proud to march together on Saturday to demonstrate the power of solidarity and demand that this school board reach a fair agreement with teachers."

WHAT: "SOLIDARITY WITH WEST FRANKFORT TEACHERS!"

Labor/Community Rally and March

WHO: Union and community members with West Frankfort teachers

WHEN: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11 at 10:45 AM

WHERE: The march will kickoff at the IBEW 702 Labor Hall

(parking lot), 106 Monroe Street, West Frankfort.

After rallying remarks from AFT Local 817 President

Tim Aldridge, participants will march with signs to the

high school football field to distribute flyers and support students

as West Frankfort plays Benton (12 PM start time).

"Our teachers want to avoid a strike that would disrupt learning and sports schedules, but the district must finally work with us," added Aldridge. "It's long past time that the school board listened to its educators—and the community members who elected them. Let's get this done now."

The American Federation of Teachers, Local 817, represents about 125 teachers in

Frankfort CUSD 168, serving students in grades K-12 in West Frankfort, IL.

The local is an affiliate of the 103,000-member Illinois Federation of Teachers.