STRONGSVILLE, OH (WOIO) -
Teachers in Strongsville said they don't want to strike but after receiving the district's latest contract offer which was turned down, a work stoppage seems inevitable.
The two sides have been at odds since last July, a month after the old contract expired.
Both teachers and district representatives have been vague regarding what is the issue.
Teachers initially wanted more pay and help with their medical benefits but at last check, we understand all they wanted now was no more concessions.
Again no agreement was reached setting the stage for a strike on Monday.
The Strongsville Education Association President Tracy Linscott released the following statement after Saturday's eight-hour bargaining session with the Board of Education:
"The Strongsville Education Association (SEA) is extremely disappointed by the Board's decision to abruptly end bargaining by issuing a Last Best Offer at today's afternoon negotiations session.
The Association is discouraged over the Board's childish decision to abruptly leave the building, in the same taxpayer-paid Huffmaster security van they arrived in, instead of remaining to receive a comprehensive proposal they knew was being printed off by the Mediator.
The Board's continued inability to bargain in good faith as well as their stunning decision to issue a premature Last Best Offer reinforced what the Association has known for the last nine months. Specifically, that this Board never intended to reach a deal, and instead was simply buying time to unilaterally implement a contract at a time of their choosing.
As a result, the Association has a planned general membership meeting Sunday to take a strike vote."
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Strongsville teachers during a meeting with the board
