After working more than 240 without a contract since June 30, members of the Zion-Benton Federation of Teachers union initiated the first steps to go on strike if negotiations for a new contract fail with Zion-Benton Township High School District 126.

Though union President Kelly Regnier said three more bargaining sessions are scheduled in the next two weeks, the 270-member union voted overwhelmingly to insert a strike threat into the negotiations.

“The way the board has been negotiating, we feel we need the strike as an option,” she said. “We will continue to bargain in good faith.”

The union initiated the strike process Tuesday with the Illinois State Board of Education, and Regnier announced the organization’s intentions that night at a meeting of the District 126 Board of Education in Zion.

Between Feb. 16 and 18, she said 98% of the union’s members voted whether to authorize a strike. Of those, 97% voted for a work stoppage.

Before any strike can happen, Regnier said both the union and the district must publicly disclose their current offer, which must occur by March 5. After that, a 28-day notice is required before any work stoppage, making April 2 the soonest a strike could start.

Neither Regnier nor District 126 Superintendent Jesse Rodriguez said they want to see a strike. Rodriguez said he considers teachers and other staff who are part of the union partners with the district to educate the community’s youths.

“We are in the process of partnering with the union,” Rodriguez said. “We would like to continue in this process, and work toward a resolution to bring all stakeholders together. We understand the urgency, and we know what’s on the table.”

Negotiating teams from the district and the union are scheduled to meet on March 5 and 13. By the last one, and possibly the second, the positions of both sides will be known publicly.

Representing not only teachers but safety staff, secretaries and aides, Regnier said the union is concerned about the salaries currently being offered. The lowest-paid employees received a raise on Jan. 1 to get them to the mandated state minimum wage of $14 per hour, she said.

Regnier said a challenge during the negotiations is the lack of a traditional salary schedule with “steps” that reward length of service, and “lanes” which compensate for advanced education. The district uses a percentage formula for increased pay.

“We don’t want to go on strike,” she said. “We hope to solve this through talking at the table, and making the district the best place it can be for both the staff who serve and the students who we are dedicated to.”

Rodriguez said the district must do a balancing act between all stakeholders in the community, which includes taxpayers along with students, parents, faculty, staff and administrators.

“The contract has to be fiscally responsible and sustainable,” he said. “It has to address the needs of all. We have to be responsible to the community to make it sustainable over the years within the financial means of our community.”

Should a strike occur, Regnier said it will not be the first time. There was a four-day work stoppage in 2012 before a new contract was reached between the district and the union.