PPS and teachers hold contract talks Wednesday night amid strike threat

PEORIA (25 News Now) - With a strike notice already authorized, Peoria Public Schools and teachers’ union were meeting with a federal mediator Wednesday night trying to agree on a contract.

The talks at the District 150 administration building started about 6:30 p.m., and later the evening, the Peoria Federation of Teachers Local 780 said on its Facebook page that the negotiations continued. “Bargaining sill in session. Team still strong. Thank you for your support,” the union said.

Salary is said to be the main sticking point. On September 1, union members on a 736-7 vote gave their bargaining team permission to give the district a 10 day strike notice. Union leaders said at the time a strike was not necessarily imminent, although they’re trying to convince the school board to accept the union’s salary demands.

School Board President Martha Ross said she remains hopeful that both sides will reach a fair settlement in the coming weeks. Ross added if no agreement is reached by the middle of this month, she will publish the board’s exact offer to the union in specific detail.

Ross said both sides have access to the mediator if they think they need more help working toward an agreement.

This story will be updated.