By Cynthia Strohschein
STAFF WRITER FOR COPLEY NEWSPAPERS
Waubonsie Valley High School teachers
share administrative
concerns about student safety. But they also believe a change
in teacher working conditions is hurting students.
The Indian Prairie District 204 teachers union filed a
complaint of unfair labor practices with the Illinois Educational
Labor Relations Board last Thursday.
The complaint stems from increased supervision hours for
teachers. District officials increased the hours in direct
response to fires set in the school in the fall.
On Jan. 19, administrators assigned Waubonsie teachers
an
additional half-period of supervision. Carolyn Gloeckle, union
president, said the contract designates this time is a
collaborative plan period for teachers.
"This is a time for our teachers to meet with colleagues
to
discuss the needs of our special-education students and for
tutoring students," she said. "We do certainly share
concerns
about safety, but punishing the children who benefit from
collaborative planning is wrong."
On Jan. 15, the union was notified the change in working
conditions would begin four days later. That same day, the
union filed a demand to bargain the issue.
District officials denied that request Jan. 21. The union
then
filed the complaint of unfair labor practice.
Changes in working conditions are not technically part
of the
teachers' contract, Gloeckle said. Memos of understanding
are
attached to the contract, and working conditions are discussed
on the first page.
"There has been an established working condition
memorialized in the memos," said union attorney Paul
Klenck.
"The employer has changed those conditions without
bargaining in good faith with the (teachers) association."
The memos, Gloeckle said, state that Waubonsie teachers
will have one period of the day for supervision. She believes
the union has the right to negotiate for anything beyond that.
District officials disagree.
"The language says we will try to achieve 1.0 (class
period)
in supervision but if it is necessary, then 1.5 (class periods),"
said Supt. Gail McKinzie.
She also said the situation isn't meant to be permanent.
"We believe we have the right to bargain this,"
Gloeckle
said. "If we win the unfair labor practice, we win the
right to
bargain. We would seek compensation."
An investigator from the board of labor relations will
be
assigned to investigate the union's charge. If the complaint
is
determined to be valid, the board will decide whether the
union has the right to bargain the issue.
02/17/1999
