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Contract negotiations between Joliet Township High School and the Joliet Township Paraprofessional Council, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 604, are ongoing as both sides work to reach an agreement. The union represents 110 paraprofessionals and security staff serving students at Joliet Township High School.
Negotiations began on April 7, 2025, after the previous collective bargaining agreement expired on July 1, 2025. Fourteen bargaining sessions have taken place so far, including two with a federal mediator. Both parties have made progress and reached tentative agreements on most contract proposals. These include increases in life insurance, retirement insurance contributions, reimbursement for unused sick leave, shift differentials, one-time retirement incentives, substitute rates, paid holidays, pay for translating and interpreting services, and a longevity bonus.
The district has agreed to modernize contract language and align paraprofessional benefits more closely with other district employees. According to the district: "We share the union's goal of attracting and retaining qualified employees to support our students, and we have approached every negotiation session with this priority in mind." They also stated: "The district’s offer reflects recognition of the Board of Education’s collective desire to reach a salary settlement that is affordable and sustainable."
Salary remains the only unresolved issue. The district has proposed a $1.50 per hour pay increase for the 2025-2026 school year followed by 3.5 percent raises for each of the next two years. This would result in salary increases of at least 20% over three years for all paraprofessionals; some could see increases up to nearly 25%. The union is seeking a $4 hourly raise in the first year followed by increases of 3.5% and then 3.25% over the following two years—an average total increase of about 31% across three years.
The district notes that under its current proposal: "Our current salary structure provides competitive wages with step increases based on experience and educational credentials, ranging from entry-level positions to employees with 30+ years of service." They add: "We are carefully reviewing proposals to ensure any agreement is sustainable and fair to both our employees and our community."
Financial considerations are part of these discussions. Of an $18.6 million total budget surplus, only $4.3 million from specific funds can be used for paraprofessional compensation—representing just over four percent of projected balances for fiscal year 2025–2026.
Both parties say they are committed to supporting students’ education in a safe environment while ensuring competitive compensation for staff members. The Board of Education has been represented throughout negotiations by its attorney and kept informed by its negotiation team.
"We remain optimistic that an agreement will be reached through continued good faith negotiations," said representatives from the district. "We will continue to keep our community informed as we work toward a final agreement."
Joliet West High School serves grades nine through twelve with an enrollment of about 3,310 students during the 2019-2020 school year according to Illinois Report Card data (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The student body includes approximately one-third white students (34.9%), over one-fifth black students (21.2%), nearly two-fifths Hispanic students (39%), and about two percent Asian students (1.7%) (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). Grade nine had the highest proportion among all grades at Joliet West High School during that time period (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).
Further updates on contract talks will be provided as discussions continue.
