After West Frankfort School District 168 announced it had seen where it was happening, teachers who are members of the American Federation of Teachers Local 817 have announced they have officially filed an Intent to Strike with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board.
The action comes after teachers voted Wednesday to authorize their union's bargaining team to call a strike, if necessary.
The union says the Intent to Strike vote was overwhelming; 97% of members voted, with 100 percent voting "YES."
West Frankfort teachers may now legally go on strike as soon as October 26.
Tim Aldridge, teacher and president of Local 817, said although teachers don't want to disrupt students' schedules, their patience with the district is running out. He added a strike will be the last resort.
The vote and filing of the Intent to Strike notice does not guarantee the teachers will strike, but gives them the ability to do so if a new contract agreement is not reached.
The two sides have been talking since May. Teachers are working under the terms of the expired contract while negotiations continue.
