The union for Tinley Park Elementary District 146 teachers says it is at an impasse with district officials over negotiating an updated contract.
While most of the contract’s provisions are settled, the Tinley Council Teachers 146 of Local 604 is fighting for higher wage increases and improved retirement benefits than the district is offering. Negotiations began in February, and the most recently approved contract expired July 31.
The district’s most recent offer includes wage increases of 6% for each of the next two school years and 5% for the 2027-2028 school year.
Spokesperson Keegan Kociss said under the district’s proposal, teachers would be among the highest paid in the surrounding area, saying the district’s proposal is “generous and it’s fair and it keeps our taxpayers in mind.”
The teachers union countered with wage increases of 7% each year for the next three school years, which they say is important to counter inflation and struggles teachers faced during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to attract good teachers amid a nationwide shortage.
“As always, our number one priority is ensuring our students get the high-quality education they deserve. To us, that means a stable district that is fully staffed. It means ensuring that the district can retain great teachers through their career, making them a long term part of the school community,” union President Eileen VonBorstel said in a statement.
Kociss said the district is unwilling to match the union’s 7% proposal because wage increases beyond 6% expose the district to financial penalties through the Illinois Teachers Retirement System.
Under the district’s proposed salary increase, teachers’ starting salaries would be $52,570. Teachers with master’s degrees would start at $67,284. The current contract has teachers with bachelor’s degrees starting at $48,533 and teachers with master’s degrees starting at $51,976.
The union said it allowed the district to choose between two financial proposals in April, one that the district pay teachers’ TRS contribution, which is 9% of every teacher’s salary, while providing lower raises, or that they provide higher raises. The district chose the higher salary increase, the union said.
In its public posting of their offer, the teachers union said the school board has impeded progress of negotiations and spread inaccurate information about the union’s proposal. The district and the union met twice with a mediator since May but do not have any scheduled negotiation sessions.
“The union has been forced to bargain against itself repeatedly in order to find a path to progress, revising our proposals over and over again, to only be met with the same ‘no,’” the union said.
District 146 board President Julie Berry said in a district news release that the board values its teachers and their contributions to the district, which includes Fierke Education Center, Kruse Education Center, Fulton School, Memorial School and Central Middle School.
“We have been fortunate enough to maintain small class sizes and student-teacher ratios, exceptional educational programming, and minimal unfilled vacancies,” Berry said.
Superintendent Jeff Stawick, district said “we remain focused on reaching a fair, sustainable agreement that honors educators, meets student needs, and protects the district’s financial stability.”
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
