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Trico teachers could strike; mediator has been called in

By Tara Fasol, The Southern

Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:39 PM CDT

CAMPBELL HILL - The 66 members of the Trico Community Unit School District 176 certified teaching staff are still in negotiations with the school board but have filed their intent-to-strike notice.

Superintendent John DeNosky said Thursday that the teaching staff filed the necessary paperwork on Wednesday.

A legally minimum 10-day notice means the teachers could take to picket lines "approximately Sept. 1, which is Labor Day, so maybe Sept. 2," DeNosky said.

The conflict comes as the board and teachers attempt to reach a three-year pact.

DeNosky said six negotiation sessions took place over the summer, and Wednesday night a federal mediator was called to intervene.

"We met last evening with the federal mediator," DeNosky said. "We went through and we have agreed on the bulk of the contract, most of it, but we are disagreeing on wages."

The superintendent said an offer is on the table but declined to comment on exact figures.

"We really can't go into that at the present time," he said.

DeNosky said he is hopeful that the matter can be resolved before the ten-day deadline in which the teacher's have threatened to strike.

"We aren't anticipating anything bad to happen but that is certainly a possibility," he said.

A union representative for the teachers did not return several phone calls Thursday afternoon.

tara.fasol@thesouthern.com/351-5824