West Frankfort teachers’ union rejects district’s labor complaint, calls for good-faith negotiations
KBSI FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
WEST FRANKFORT, Ill., (KBSI) — The president of the West Frankfort Teachers Union is accusing Community Unit School District 168 of filing false charges against educators as contract negotiations remain stalled.
Tim Aldridge, president of American Federation of Teachers Local 817, issued a statement Tuesday after the district filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against the union on Sept. 29.
“The charges filed on Monday by CUSD 168 against the teachers in AFT Local 817 are simply false,” Aldridge said. “Frankly, they are a sad attempt to distract parents and our community from the board’s unwillingness to fulfill their responsibility to reach a fair agreement after five months of bargaining.”
Aldridge said the union’s own ULP complaint filed last week accused Superintendent Donkin and the school board of failing to bargain in good faith and making “irresponsible proposals” that he said would weaken schools.
He added that the union’s proposals would save about $200,000 for the district, preserve smaller class sizes and help retain teachers.
“The district’s counter ULP charge will only create tension and distrust between the parties,” Aldridge said. “Instead of wasting time and taxpayer dollars on false charges against our teachers, the superintendent and CUSD 168 board members should finally work with us in good faith to avoid a strike and reach a fair agreement that puts our students and schools first.”
