Cahokia School District, union workers meet amid contract dispute

ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. - Union employees in the Cahokia Unit School District are still without a new contract after 38 days, as negotiations between the union and the district continue to stall.

Union members filled an auditorium Monday night, holding signs that read "Working Without a Contract" and "Enough." The Cahokia Unit School District moved its regular board meeting to a larger space to accommodate the large crowd.

The union represents teachers, secretaries, and service employees at the Cahokia Unit School District. Faculty have been working under the terms of the previous contract that expired near the start of the school year.

Union leaders say the district's proposal would eliminate long-standing benefits and protections, while dividing the three employee groups into separate contracts. However, district leaders say the changes are long overdue and aims to improve student outcomes.

Superintendent Curtis McCall Jr. explained that separating the contracts is about updating policies, not cutting benefits.

McCall Jr. mentioned that some contract language has not been substantially changed in over 50 years and is no longer applicable to today's education system. Additionally, the district aims to target employee absences, which the district says has been an issue.

Union leaders countered by saying that policies already exist to address attendance issues and that high turnover is the real problem.

Both sides are scheduled to meet again next week.

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