Will they strike? Federal mediator to visit Ewing-Northern today

STAFF REPORT

A federal mediator will visit Ewing today to try to end an impasse between school officials and the teachers union at Ewing-Northern Grade School.

Teachers at Ewing-Northern have worked without a contact since August 30 and filed an intent to strike notice with the state in November.

A Ewing-Northern School Board spokeman has said that the sticking point is an additional 1.5 percent pay raise that the union is asking for.

A strike would threaten to stop classes for the 227 students enrolled in grades K-8 at the school. Ewing-Northern’s 15 teachers are represented by the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

Teachers’ Retirement members can sign up to ask benefit questions

Potential retirees who are part of the Teachers’ Retirement System can get their questions answered through telephone conferences with TRS benefits counselors next month.

The Franklin-Williamson Regional Office of Education #21 is scheduling the conferences in cooperation with the TRS. They will be held Dec. 20 between 9 a.m. and 4:45 p.m., in 15-minute increments.

To sign up for a telephone conference slot, contact your local superintendent or call the Franklin-Williamson Regional Office, (618) 438-9711 to complete a request form. The deadline to request a conference is fast approaching. Request forms must be returned by mail or fax to the Regional Office of Education no later than Monday, Nov. 19.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News