Champaign Support Staff Reach Tenative Agreement With Unit 4

Champaign Unit 4 schools has reached a tentative agreement with its support staff, which includes more than 500 custodians, mechanics, secretaries, and bus drivers.

In a statement, district spokeswoman Stephanie Stuart said Champaign Educational Support Professionals will take their plan to membership for ratification. 

"The Board commends the CESP leadership team for their commitment to the process and to reaching a fair agreement that honors the work of our support professionals," she said.

The union had reached out to a federal mediator following last week’s 7-hour negotiating session.

The two met again late Wednesday afternoon, and the agreement was announced at 6 p.m.  Union Spokesman Steve Pease said the request for the mediator was done as a precaution, in case talks broke down last night. 

The union represents more than 500 bus drivers, custodians, mechanics, secretaries, and others.  The two sides have been working without a contract since July 1st.