Striking teachers were supported by a group of community members in their 258^th day without a contract.  The Cottage Grove teachers and their union want to “get this done” and have a new contract as soon as possible.  The UTSWC, the union representing the teachers, stated “An unsettled contract leaves a cloud of uncertainty over our district and is a distraction for teachers and administrators”.

The crowd of people in support of the teachers was huge and overflowed into the hallway of the chamber of the support meeting.

So far there have been six bargaining sessions between the union and District 833.  They finally agreed to file for mediation and the first session was held on February 9^th.  That first session lasted nine hours, but produced no resolution.  It ended because the mediator had a medical emergency.

According to the School Board Vice Chair, parties were feeling good about progress and reaching a solution as a result of the mediation session, and had committed to staying until midnight to find a resolution, but were forced to wrap up the day at 7 pm.

Both sides are hopeful the follow-up mediation session the end of March will produce the results they were hoping to get in the first session.  According to the union spokesperson, “We are prepared to get it done.  I hope they are ready to get it done, too. ”

The board echoed union sentiment and stated they are willing to “… take as many hours as it takes to get this resolved. ”