Teachers in Cahokia Unit School District 187 remain without a ratified labor contract as negotiations continue into a second year. After union members rejected a tentative four-year agreement in June, the district and the Cahokia Federation of Teachers have returned to the bargaining table ahead of the August 17 start of the new school year.
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, IL – August 3, 2026 (STL.News) As students prepare to return to classrooms later this month, contract negotiations between Cahokia Unit School District 187 and the Cahokia Federation of Teachers (CFT) remain unresolved, leaving nearly 400 union-represented employees working without a newly ratified collective bargaining agreement for a second consecutive school year.
The negotiations have become one of the most significant education stories in the Metro East, affecting teachers, educational support staff, students, parents and taxpayers. While both the district and the union have expressed a desire to reach a negotiated settlement, no final agreement has been announced as the opening day of school approaches.
Unlike many school labor negotiations that occur largely out of public view, the Cahokia dispute has unfolded through public demonstrations, school board meetings, union statements and district responses, drawing increasing attention from the community.
Cahokia Heights, IL – More Than a Year of Negotiations
Negotiations for a successor contract began in June 2025.
According to the Cahokia Federation of Teachers, the parties have met approximately 23 times over the past year in an effort to reach a new agreement. Earlier this summer, with assistance from a federal mediator, negotiators reached a tentative four-year contract that district leaders described as a competitive package intended to strengthen teacher recruitment and retention while maintaining the district’s long-term financial stability.
The tentative agreement, however, did not receive final approval.
At the end of June, union members voted 137-70 to reject the proposal, sending both sides back to the bargaining table.
Union leaders said members believed the proposed agreement did not sufficiently address salary competitiveness, rising health insurance costs and several contract language issues involving working conditions. Public statements issued by the union also cited concerns over lesson-plan requirements, job-posting procedures and employee protections.
District officials have maintained that the proposal represented a meaningful investment in employees while balancing the district’s financial responsibilities.
With the tentative agreement rejected, negotiations have continued into a second school year.
About the Cahokia Federation of Teachers
The Cahokia Federation of Teachers, Local 1272, has represented district employees since 1956 and is affiliated with the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers and the AFL-CIO.
The union represents nearly 400 employees, including classroom teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses, paraprofessionals, secretaries, custodians, maintenance employees, security personnel and other educational support staff.
Although public attention often focuses on salary negotiations, the union says this year’s bargaining has involved a broader range of issues, including employee retention, healthcare costs, classroom working conditions and attracting qualified educators to the district.
Recruitment and Retention Remain Central Issues
Teacher recruitment has become one of the most frequently discussed topics during negotiations.
According to the Cahokia Federation of Teachers, the district has approximately 80 teaching vacancies, making it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain qualified educators. Union leaders argue that teacher salaries have fallen behind neighboring school districts, reducing the district’s ability to compete for experienced teachers.
District officials acknowledge that recruiting educators remains challenging but have said their contract proposal was specifically designed to improve recruitment and retention through enhanced compensation and benefits.
Like many school systems across Illinois and the nation, Cahokia Unit School District 187 continues to compete in a tight labor market for certified teachers, particularly in specialized subject areas.
Financial Issues Have Added to the Dispute
The contract negotiations have also been accompanied by public disagreements regarding district finances.
Earlier this year, the union publicly questioned several administrative financial practices and called for additional review of the district’s financial management.
Superintendent Curtis McCall Jr. rejected those allegations, stating that independent financial audits support the district’s financial operations and that no evidence of financial misconduct has been identified.
Those allegations remain disputed, and no public findings by state or federal authorities have concluded that district officials engaged in wrongdoing.
What Happens Next?
Negotiations remain ongoing, and neither side has announced that bargaining has ended.
Under Illinois labor law, public school labor disputes generally proceed through mediation and other statutory procedures before a legal strike could occur. Additional legal requirements, including advance notice, must also be satisfied before any work stoppage could take place.
At this time, both the district and the Cahokia Federation of Teachers have continued negotiations while expressing hope that a mutually acceptable agreement can be reached.
With students scheduled to return to school on August 17, many parents are closely watching developments, hoping negotiations conclude before the first day of classes.
Why the Outcome Matters
The outcome of these negotiations extends beyond employee compensation.
Teacher recruitment and retention influence classroom stability, student achievement, and the district’s ability to provide consistent educational services. Persistent vacancies can increase workloads for existing staff while limiting the pool of qualified educators available to fill open positions.
For taxpayers, the negotiations also affect long-term budgeting and public confidence in how the district manages its financial resources.
As bargaining enters a second school year, the contract dispute remains one of the most consequential issues facing Cahokia Unit School District 187. Whether negotiators can bridge their remaining differences before students return to classrooms will have a direct impact on educators, families, and the broader Cahokia community.
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