Geneva teachers have set a strike date as they continue to negotiate with the school board over a new collective bargaining agreement.
The Geneva Education Association has set a strike date for Dec. 4 if they cannot reach a deal with the school board. Negotiations will continue, according to the Association, but teachers are prepared to walk out if a deal cannot be reached.
“A strike is GEA’s absolute last resort,” President Kevin Gannon said. “We are still hopeful we can reach a fair agreement, but the bottom line is if we have to go out on strike we will.”
The school board gave a new offer to the Association this week, with starting pay going up to nearly $42,600, according to the Daily Herald. That is a $2,000 increase, and the starting pay by the end of the four-year deal would be nearly $48,000.
The teachers’ union says the proposed contract lacks equality in salary increases, as newer educators will see their salaries rise faster than more experienced teachers, and they are concerned that teacher retention could be an issue with the new contract.
It is not known when the two sides will meet again to avoid a strike, which would begin Tuesday.
