By AP/KWMU
Highland, Ill. – Teachers in the Metro-East town of Highland voted on Wednesday to issue an intent-to-strike notice. That comes after talks this week on a new contract fell through.
The vote to approve the intent to strike notice was 131-3.
With the notice, the earliest the 180 union teachers could walk off the job is September 9th. More talks, though, are planned.
There are 220 teachers in the Highland district; 180 of them are represented by the union. Last week, teachers rejected the district's offer of a 2% raise, plus increases in the raises teachers get for each year of experience. Teachers said they wanted a 4% raise, plus the increases for experience.
Another negotiating session is scheduled for Tuesday.
COLLINSVILLE
The Highland vote comes as Collinsville teachers are set to meet again today (Thursday) with the administration to further discuss a contract. Teachers in Collinsville have already filed an intent-to-strike notice.