WEST FRANKFORT – The West Frankfort Federation of Teachers Local 817 has filed an official notice of “Intent to Strike” with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board.
According to the union’s Facebook post, a strike authorization vote was taken this week. One-hundred-three out of the 114 members voted and all 103 said “Yes” to authorize a strike.
Their filing doesn’t mean they will go on strike immediately. If a contract agreement between the union and the West Frankfort school district is not reached soon, teachers can go on strike starting Sunday, Oct. 26.
West Frankfort Superintendent Matt Donkin said in a statement released Wednesday that school will remain in session while the school board continues to meet for bargaining sessions with the Teachers’ Union to find an agreement on a contract that best serves students and community by keeping all faculty and staff employed while keeping the school district on a firm financial footing in the continuing and unpredictable financial times ahead.
Donkin says more information will be released to students and families in the coming days to answer questions that may come up regarding any potential schedule adjustments.
More information regarding contract negotiations between the school board and the union can be found at wfschools.org.
