Proviso District 209 teachers' strike continues Thursday
CHICAGO (CBS)-- Another day of school is canceled for over 4,000 west suburban students as a teachers strike continues.
Teachers at Proviso District 209 schools have been on strike since March 4. Students have now missed nearly two weeks of school. As CBS 2's Mugo Odigwe reports, teachers said the strike was a long time coming.
"We've been working on an expired contract since June 30, 2021."
And still no new contract in sight.
It's why Proviso East High School English teacher Brandon Kujawa, and his fellow teachers are out of the classroom and on this picket line outside the school building.
His colleagues designated him as their spokesperson Thursday. He says one issue the teacher's union can't seem to agree on with the district is better wages.
"Of the people who started with me about nine years ago, I'd say upwards of 20 people in the cohort that started around the same time as I did, maybe there's about two left," he said.
Teachers ultimately want competitive pay that measures up with neighboring Cook County districts.
Meanwhile district officials tell us there is still a gap of $1 million between their salary proposal and that of the teacher's union.
Then there's the issue of class sizes.
"We have some teachers that at the start of the school year, were packing classes with 30 and 40 plus."
It's another reason why the ongoing strike is not just happening here at Proviso East. Teachers at Proviso West in Hillside, and the Math and Science Academy in Forest Park are also on strike -- that's about 280 teachers all together.
As for when they think students can return to school.
"We're all doing our part. I am hopeful that they will get something done," said Kujawa
We reached out to the teacher's union about specifics and just how much are they asking for. We're still waiting to hear back but we know negotiations with the district continues Thursday.
