About 150 members of the Champaign Federation of Teachers marched and carried signs as they prepared for their ninth negotiating session since the prior contract with Unit 4 Schools expired on June 30, and second with a federal mediator. CFT President Jennifer White said there was a lot riding on Tuesday's talks, with plans to set another session if progress was made.

Champaign Federation of Teachers President Jennifer White says a large crowd turned out at Centennial High School's auditorium Wednesday to approve a strike authorization vote. The soonest a strike could happen is mid-to-late October, but White says the union remains optimistic heading into its ninth bargaining session with Unit 4 adminstrators on September 20.

The president of the Champaign Federation of Teachers Local 1925 says a few sticking points remain as talks with Unit 4 administrators continue with a federal mediator. A strike authorization vote is planned for Wednesday, but it doesn't necessarily mean a strike would take place. If no progress is made after negotiations on September 20, proposals from both sides will be on public display for a week, as required by law before a strike can happen.

Negotiators for the Champaign school district and its teachers’ union return to the bargaining table Wednesday afternoon, to continue efforts to reach a new contract agreement for some 800 teachers.