CBS 2’s Mike Puccinelli reports teachers for Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 walked off the job late Wednesday night.
Classes have been canceled for about 17,000 students at 23 elementary, middle, and high schools in Waukegan.
The teachers union and district representatives met all day Wednesday at Lake County Federation of Teachers Local 504 headquarters. A federal mediator has been working with both sides to hammer out a deal, but so far the district and union have been unable to see eye-to-eye on salary, benefits, and other issues; and late Wednesday night, the teachers announced they were going on strike.
It was the first time in more than 20 years that teachers in Waukegan have gone on strike. The union said teachers have been working four years without a quality contract, so the 1,200 teachers have decided to walk off the job after contract talks reached an impasse.
Teachers planned to picket Thursday morning outside schools in Waukegan.
The district said property tax revenue has plummeted , leaving a huge hole in the school district’s budget.
However, teachers said they’ve been the only ones compromising over the past four years, and they claimed the district is flush with cash.
In a letter sent to parents, the district said it was disappointed in the teachers’ plan to strike.
