Gary`s 27,000 schoolchildren were back in their classrooms Thursday after striking school employees unanimously accepted a two-year labor contract.
The three-day strike ended late Wednesday, as members of the Service Employees International Union Local 208 ratified the two-year contract, providing a 4-percent salary increase the first year and a 3.6-percent salary increase in 1987.
”We`re real pleased that it`s over with,” said union local president William Willett. ”There`s a real good feeling in the group that they`d accomplished what they wanted.”
The union, which also received increased health and life insurance benefits, represents some 800 food-service workers, lunchroom matrons, secretaries, clerical aides and custodians in the Gary public schools.
”The strike is history,” said Gary School Supt. Ernest Jones. ”Let us now commit ourselves to attend the business of providing and supporting opportunities for educational excellence in the Gary public schools.”
