Valley View Teachers and Staff Vote to Authorize a Strike

Romeoville, IL - Teachers and staff in the tenth largest school district in Illinois may soon be walking the picket lines. Members of the Valley View Council (AFT/IFT Local 604), serving Romeoville and Bolingbrook students of District 365U, have voted to authorize a strike, as the negotiating process stalled after eight months at the bargaining table.

95.97% of voting Valley View Council members voted YES. Voter turnout was 91.7%. This week’s vote does not guarantee a strike but gives the union's bargaining team the authority to call one if a fair agreement cannot be reached.

“The Valley View Council believes in our dedicated staff, maintaining fiscal responsibility, and expanding opportunities for students,” said Valley View Council President Jared Ploger. “We have been able to reach several tentative agreements with the Board of Education on items that strengthen our schools, but that progress stalled when the district refused to compromise on the start time issue. The Board is trying to force an incomplete plan that no one asked for, with no stakeholder input, and no consideration of how this will affect bus schedules, district costs, logistics, or staff workload. On top of that, studies show that earlier start times can hinder, rather than help, student learning. It just doesn’t make sense.”

Other issues on the bargaining table include compensation, including longevity pay for maintenance and security staff and paraprofessionals, who have previously been excluded from this recognition of dedication and loyalty and are among the lowest paid positions in the district.

"We are united for a fair contract for all our staff, and most importantly, for the students we serve,” continued Ploger. “It is well past time for the Board of Education to recognize the people who keep this district running, the people who see and support and prepare for and teach students every day. We will have no choice but to call a strike if this Board continues to hold up this contract to push through their misguided priorities.”

The union stands ready to bargain. The earliest date that members can strike is

September 15.

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The Valley View Council represents 1,800 teachers, maintenance, security, nurses, social workers, deans, counselors, paraprofessionals, SRT’s, and SLP’s who teach and support the 16,000 students who attend Bolingbrook and Romeoville schools in Valley View District 365U. The Valley View Council is affiliated with Local 604, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, and the American Federation of Teachers.