Dixon Teachers go on strike - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Dixon Teachers go on strike

By: Roland Glembine

rglembine@cbs4qc.com

After working without a contract since August, Dixon teachers go on strike Thursday.  

Now the union and school board are meeting hoping to strike a new deal.  

Negotiations started at 7pm and went into late in the night at the Dixon Public Schools District Building."

Dixon teachers putting away the lesson plans and grappling a picket sign.

Day one of the strike, and the two sides seem miles apart.

The school board offering a 1 percent pay raise yet asking teachers to contribute more in health care.

Teachers want a 3.75 raise in salary, new text books and smaller class sizes.

Both hoping to strike a deal soon and get kids back in class.  

 "The hope is for a settlement, not sure if that can occur but I know there's a willingness to stay until we can not be productive any longer I suppose," said Michael juenger, Dixon Superintendent.

"We fight for our students, we want what's best for our students and we'll fight as long as we need to," said Don Randick, Teacher.

The last bargaining session went until 2 am, the next scheduled meeting isn't until Monday.