Lincoln-Way Support Staff Union Rejects Tentative Contract Agreement

LW210 Board of Education Meeting | October 16, 2025

Article Summary: Members of the Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 support staff union have voted down a tentative five-year contract agreement, citing concerns over non-competitive wages and the long duration of the proposed deal. Union representatives addressed the Board of Education, signaling a return to the bargaining table after eight months of negotiations.

Lincoln-Way Labor Negotiations Key Points:

• Support staff union members rejected a tentative collective bargaining agreement reached by union leadership and district administration.

• Key concerns from members include wages that are not competitive with surrounding districts, the five-year length of the contract, and changes to pay for extra duties.

• The rejection sends both parties back to the negotiating table.

• Speakers highlighted the impact of staff shortages, particularly among bus drivers, on student services.

The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education on Thursday, October 16, 2025, was publicly informed that the union representing over 200 support staff members had rejected a tentative contract agreement. Three speakers, including union leaders and members, addressed the board during public comment, detailing frustrations that led to the failed ratification vote and calling for a fair and competitive new proposal.

The union represents bus drivers, paraprofessionals, cafeteria staff, maintenance custodians, and security employees. Negotiations for a successor agreement have been ongoing since February.

Carl Tescone, a 14-year employee in the maintenance department and a member of the bargaining team, was the first to speak. He stated that the membership voted down the proposed agreement the previous night.

“The overall sentiment was that our members do not want to be forced into a 5-year agreement with pay and working conditions that are not competitive with nearby surrounding districts, offer less money for the same work, and do not generally recognize years of service and loyalty to this district,” Tescone said. He emphasized that attracting and retaining quality employees is crucial for providing consistency and a sense of community for students.

Bus driver Jim Irvia, a five-year employee, provided specific examples of the wage disparity. He noted that a school district in St. Charles starts drivers at $24.61 per hour, while Lockport starts at $24.50 and Mokena at $25.50, both with free medical insurance. Under the rejected five-year deal, he said, Lincoln-Way drivers would not reach $24.75 until the third year of the contract.

“Three years down the road, we’re still making less than other communities are paying right now today,” Irvia stated. He questioned why the district was making significant efforts to recruit and retain teachers but not applying the same urgency to support staff, especially given the severe bus driver shortage that has led to dispatchers driving routes and drivers covering unfamiliar areas, causing delays and safety concerns.

Nancy Shriber, a bus driver and New Lenox resident, echoed these concerns, describing how she has had to “double up” on morning and afternoon routes, resulting in late activity runs. She also highlighted proposed pay cuts for extra duties like activity runs, shuttles, and trips, which she said would negate any raise in the contract.

“I have to take a $5 pay cut to work extra time from my day to do that,” Shriber said of driving for sports teams. “And that’s not really fair. And you guys want to lock it into a five-year contract of that.”

After the public comments, Board President Aaron P. Janik responded, stating that the district would not negotiate in public. He clarified that the tentative agreement was reached in good faith by both the administration and the union’s bargaining team.

“It was a tentative agreement agreed by both sides in the room,” Janik said. “Now that it’s been voted down… I think the groups will now have to meet. Your group is going to have to determine what it is you guys want and bring that back to the table.”