Posted by Rich Hayhurst
GenevaTaxFACTS
February 4, 2012

It is extremely important that our Geneva School Board is represented by an attorney that understands the collective bargaining part of the new school law (formerly SB 7) very well. Under the new law, after good faith negotiations, either side can declare the sides are at impasse. Posting the last offer on the web is required by the new law.

Once impasse is declared, each side has 1 or 2 weeks to send their last offer to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) and the Illinois School Board of Education (ISBE). The IELRB posts both sides' last offers on its website www2.illinois.gov/elrb/Pages/FinalOffers.aspx.

At this point, a few things can happen. The teachers can strike, or sue the district for unfair labor practices. Or the sides can continue to talk, but generally without formal proposals.

Prior to the new law, if the school year starts and the last contract has expired, teachers would work under the terms of the expired contract. Under the new law, the Board can "implement" or "impose" its last offer, the one it sent to the IELRB.