Unit 40 Support Staff Releases Statement on Contract Talks

The Unit 40 Education Support Professionals released a statement Friday on the status of contract talks with the Effingham Unit 40 Board of Education.

The release indicates there was no movement at the mediation session on Wednesday night.

The statement reads, "We were prepared and ready to bargain, however the District was only interested in discussing one item, which involves severely reducing bus drivers from transporting students to and from extra-curricular activities, and requiring coaches or sponsors to do so.

"The District did express they were not authorized to make any counter-proposals at this time. Although we've met numerous times concerning this issue and other outstanding proposals, we have not made movement concerning this issue because the Association believes that while safely transporting students to and from school is their work, we also believe safely transporting students to and from sports and activities is also their work. This fact is also negotiated language in the Teachers contract that it is bus drivers' jobs to transport students. We believe that is in the best interest of the students and community."

The next available date for mediation is February 6.