Meridian teachers file strike intentions

MACON — The 2024-25 academic year in the Meridian School District could very well be in flux as teachers and the school board appear unable to reach a new contract agreement.

District teachers have been working without a contract for several months and ongoing negotiations with the school board have not been productive, according to the Meridian Federation of Teachers.

A press release from the Meridian Federation of Teachers made available to the media reveals that 92% of the voting membership in the federation (which is a member of the Illinois Federation of Teachers Local 4487) voted to authorize a strike should there continue to be no headway made with the school board by the federation’s appointed bargaining team. The voter turnout for this vote was roughly 90%.

“This vote sends a clear message to our administration that Meridian teachers are unified in their resolve to settle a fair contract. There is more work to be done,” said Brian Pekovitch, president of the Meridian Federation of Teachers. “Of course, no one wants to strike, and we are hopeful that we can come to an agreement.”

Pekovitch states that they want to ensure the district remains strong enough to keep its great teachers, but it will be up to the school board to make and maintain that commitment.

“However, if the school board fails to make that commitment, they may give us no choice but to call a strike,” said Pekovitch.

As of the press release, no date has been set for the next mediation session. Several teachers sought to attend the school board on Monday night.

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Jake Leonard

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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