DANVILLE — Teachers walking an informational picket Tuesday said they think the tactic is one of the only tools they have left and they will continue to get out word of their contract position to anybody who will listen.

Around 300 teachers and supporters dressed in matching blue T-shirts and bearing signs and slogans including, “Danville Schools Work Because We Do,” marched around the Jackson building trying to rally community support prior to scheduled contract talks with Danville District 118 officials and a federal mediator.

“I think there’s not much else we can do,” said Lois Bennett, a second-grade teacher employed with the district for more than 30 years. “We’d rather do an informational picket than close down our schools. This is just one way to show some unity.”

The Danville Education Association has already filed intent to strike notification with the district and could exercise that option without another membership vote next week. On Tuesday, following a two-hour session with the mediator, the sides agreed to meet again next Tuesday.

“We’re at a crisis point,” said DEA President Robin Twidwell on Tuesday, after rallying members before the picket, held in 90-degree heat. “We want the public to be aware of the issues. This is a two-sided situation and we have been sitting down in good faith.”

Twidwell said a work stoppage would be a last resort, but one the union showed it is willing to support after 98 percent of its membership last week voted to file intent to strike notification.

The union will further spread the “word” at annual Labor Day parades Monday in Danville and Westville.

The DEA has said the district’s request for an across-the-board “hard” salary freeze is unfair and that the district’s negotiating team has not compromised on the issue. The district claims, because of financial uncertainty, the freeze is necessary for long-term survival.

Ann Grubb, a school psychologist for 22 years, said union members are united.

“We’re a profession that deserves more respect than we’re getting,” she said. “If you take any profession in Danville … that person was helped by a teacher; teachers helped create those jobs. You can thank a teacher for that because we helped shape them.”

Bennett, who was in her second year in teaching in 1977 when Danville teachers struck for three days, said she does not want to bring back that time — but teachers today have little leverage left.

“The after-affects were divisive,” she said. “Because of that, we’ve worked really hard all these years to communicate with each other and not strike again. We want what’s best for our kids, and we care about the needs of our families.”

Twidwell deemed Tuesday’s informational picket a success, with a few vehicles honking as they drove by and several media members on hand to report the story. Two satellite trucks were set up in the Jackson parking lot for live transmission and most area television stations ran the story at the top of newscasts.

“This seems to be very effective,” she said, “and it’s at a critical time.”

In the meantime, she said community members should call school members voicing support.

“Start making phone calls,” she said. “Tell them you’d like to see them get this contract settled.”

SPEAK UP

Let the Danville District 118 School Board know what you think about ongoing negotiations with the Danville Education Association. School Board members include:

• William J. Dobbles, president, 443-3421 or 260-5858 or bdobbles@comcast.net
• Gina McGuire, vice president, 260-7520 or g_shermcguire@yahoo.com.
• Randal P. Ashton, 443-4041 or docashton1@aol.com
• Greg Hilleary, 444-3101 or 443-1571
• Frank R. Young, fry2454@aol.com
• n Daniel D. Brown, 446-5550 or dan.brown@danielbrownlaw.com
• n Judd Peck, 446-2602 or 446-0647 or judd.peck@danvillemetal.com or 5pecks@comast.net.

  (The above contact information appears on the Danville District 118 Web site).