Champaign Unit 4 Support Staff Could Reach Agreement with School District on Monday

The support staff union with Champaign schools resumes negotiations with the district on Monday, and both sides indicate the meeting could produce an agreement.

The two parties started meeting in early March, and brought in a federal mediator by June. He wasn't able to meet with them again until August, so the two sides started meeting on their own. Union president Mary Logsdon says they made progress on many issues in two meetings held last week. The sticking points that remain are salary, health insurance, and bringing the salary for teacher aides on par with other districts. "We both have our own priorities that we want to see accomplished," said Logsdon. "Sometimes we agree, sometimes we don't. That's where sometimes we have to compromise, or give and take. So at this time, I think we're both right there, and I think in the next week, I think we can come to some consenus."

Unit 4 School Board President Dave Tomlinson says the district is doing what it can to reward hard work in tough financial times. "I think both sides have come realizing what the needs are, and you know, the district wants to give to employees who work hard. And we're trying to do the best we can by them, understanding there's serious budget issues, but we need to make sure that we're doing everything we can for our employees."

Tomlinson says talks have never been contentious. The previous contract expired June 30th. The Champaign Unit 4 support staff union represents about 500 teacher aides, clerical workers, custodians, bus drivers, and food-service workers.