East St. Louis teachers picketing for contract change

About 50 teachers and others held an informational picket at the East St. Louis Board of Education offices Tuesday afternoon. Kelli Hawkins, a spokesperson for the district, confirmed the picket was set up prior to a District 189 board meeting.

Teachers in Union Local 1220 in East St. Louis filed an intent to strike letter with the Illinois Labor Relations Board in August. The teachers plan a strike if they do not get a new contract that keeps their medical benefits the same, includes a pay increase and is a multi-year agreement.

“My understanding is that, yes, there is” another round of negotiations planned, Hawkins said.

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 5:50 PM with the headline "East St. Louis teachers picketing for contract change."