Striking union faculty members at Rock Valley College meet this morning to discuss the latest offer from the college’s board of directors. The sticking point?How much the 160 RVC faculty members will pay for health care. Joe Perkoski is the attorney representing the school. He says “What we’re simply trying to do is get employees to pay a little more toward that. At the same time, we are providing a very generous salary offer.”
But the people on the picket line disagree with that interpretation of the administration’s “final best offer.” Tom Lombardo has taught engineering and technology at RVC for 26 years. Wednesday, he held a sign and waved at honking supporters in front of Rock Valley College. He says “They’re claiming they are offering big raises, but really what they are doing is offering us a small raise, but then they’re demanding that we pay far more for our health care.”
Lydia Slater teaches business at RVC. She says as much as she wants to get back into the classroom, she wants her student to know this fight is important for her younger colleagues who need family health care.
Negotiators from both sides meet Friday morning: they hope classes can resume Monday.
