Valley View Teachers Union Rejects Contract Deal, Strike Not Planned

The Valley View Council Local 604 teachers union has voted to reject a tentative contract agreement with the Valley View School District 365U Board of Education, which was reached three weeks ago. This decision was confirmed in a statement from the Board of Education on October 13, 2023, indicating that they had been informed of the union’s failure to ratify the proposed deal.

Negotiations between the union and the district began in January 2023, with both parties reaching an impasse in August as the new school year commenced. The district’s educators, paraprofessionals, maintenance crews, nurses, security personnel, and other staff have been working without a contract since mid-August 2023. In September, the union voted to authorize a strike, yet the district has stated that it has received no indications of an imminent strike following the recent contract vote.

In light of the rejection, the union is conducting a survey to gather feedback from its members about their priorities for future negotiations. The Board of Education expressed its commitment to continued dialogue, stating, “We are optimistic that, through open dialogue and mutual respect, we will arrive at an agreement that strengthens our schools and supports the success of all students and staff while being realistic about budgetary constraints and community expectations.”

The contents of the rejected contract have not been publicly disclosed. A significant point of contention prior to the strike authorization vote was a proposal to extend the school day at both Romeoville High School and Bolingbrook High School. Under this plan, teachers and students would be required to arrive on campus by 7 a.m.. This proposal faced notable opposition from teachers, students, and parents who argued it could lead to logistical issues and negatively impact students’ sleep.

Union President Jared Ploger did not respond to inquiries from The Herald-News regarding the reasons behind the rejection of the tentative deal. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how both parties will navigate the ongoing negotiations and address the concerns raised by union members.