The Kaneland Education Association and teachers do not have new contracts since the previous three year contract expired at the end of June. Since then, the board and teachers have been trying to negotiate a new contract.

Last Thursday, teachers voted in favor of the intent-to-strike; the vote was 299 to 13.

This does not mean a strike will definitely happen, it just confirms that it is a possibility. Although, no date has been set because, there is a possibility an agreement will soon be reached.

At the board meeting on Monday November 9, members of KEA demonstrated an act of small protest.

When the time came for public comments every KEA member stood up and formed a line.

Each one spoke about their lives and how Kaneland has been a place for them to call home.

The union has planned to hold a community forum in the Kaneland Harter Middle School Cafeteria on November 12 at 7 p.m.; this event will be open to the public.

Key Vocabulary Terms:

Strike: A refusal to work organized by a body of employees as a form of protest.

Teachers have to start to by balloting, the union must give the employers a seven day notice of their intention to start a postal ballot.The ballot must be conducted by an outside company, and must be completed within 28 days. It will ask if they feel prepared to take action in a strike, and each vote is anonymous.

Once the strike is in favor the union must give the employer a seven day notice of when the strike is going to take place.

While on strike the teachers are not getting paid for that time, no more than six people should be outside the building if 20 or more show up the police are allowed to break up the crowd.

Strikers are not allowed to use threatening or abusive language, be threatening to anyone passing by, damage property, use signs that slander or libel the employer.

Flying pickets: When someone else travels to support other people on strike.

Workers are only allowed to picket at their own workplace.