A threatened strike by Wilmette school support staff appears averted after union members ratified a tentative four-year contract with Wilmette Public Schools District 39.
The district announced the ratification Nov. 9. The Board of Education is scheduled to consider the agreement for final approval Monday, Nov. 16.
The proposed contract provides annual wage increases while maintaining employee insurance costs and paid holidays, according to a union announcement reported by Patch. The district’s ratification notice does not provide detailed contract terms.
The agreement follows negotiations that began in April. In a Nov. 2 message to families, Board President Anne Hart identified wages, health insurance premium contributions and paid holidays for 10-month employees as the principal disputed issues.
That message said the district received a 10-day strike notice Oct. 30, following an Oct. 28 mediation session. The district and union subsequently reached a tentative agreement, which the district announced Nov. 5.
Union President Michelle McGregor said the agreement advances the union’s goal of bringing support staff compensation closer to neighboring districts and could help address recruitment and retention challenges, Patch reported.
Union ratification completes one step in the approval process. The agreement still requires the school board’s approval.
