Updated 6:30 p.m.
CHAMPAIGN - The Champaign Federation of Teachers has reached a tentative contract with the school district.
Union leadership told teachers gathered at the school board meeting tonight they have a tentative contract after a collective bargaining session this afternoon.
Champaign Federation of Teachers President Cathy Mannen said she couldn't release the tentative deal's details, but said the teachers would gather for a ratification meeting “in the near future.”
School board President Sue Grey addressed the tentative agreement while the board was in open session.
“Parents, breathe a sigh of relief,” Grey said. She said she was proud to be able to negotiate in a collegial way with the union and its team.
“We are very, very fortunate in Unit 4,” Grey said. “We have so many great faculty.”
Grey said if the teachers ratify the contract, the school board will then take a vote to approve it.
Mannen said she's glad to have a "fair" proposal to take back to the union membership.
“I am glad that we've reached an agreement,” Mannen said.
Mannen said the tentative contract “is the result of a lot of hard work.”
The teachers' contract expired June 30, and that was a one-year extension of the previous three-year contract. The board and union have been negotiating since April, and meeting with a federal mediator since August.
The teachers took a vote authorizing a strike earlier this month, but said they were hoping tonight's negotiating session, as well as one scheduled for later in October, would result in a contract.
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