Over 90% of members of the Champaign Federation of Teachers, the union representing teachers in Unit 4, voted Wednesday to authorized a strike.
Teachers in Unit 4 have been working without a contract since June, and the primary sticking point is a board proposal to extend the elementary school day by 50 minutes beginning in 2023-2024. CFT leaders are meeting with the district on Friday for further negotiations.
The vote does not guarantee a strike, just paves the way for the union to take steps in the direction should negotiations fail to produce an agreement.
You can read more about the vote at Illinois Public Media.
Top photo by Jessica Hammie.