Talks to end strike by Benton, Ill., teachers break off

BENTON, Ill. -- The Benton teachers union blamed the school board Friday for walking out of contract negotiations and extending a strike that has halted high school classes in this Southern Illinois town and threatened sports seasons.

Talks between the two sides broke off Friday afternoon, union president Mike Salmo said.

"The union is appalled by the lack of timing on the board's part," Salmo said. "We were prepared to negotiate for as long as it took to come to an agreement on our differences and preserve the first football game of the season."

The lack of an agreement will force the football and golf teams to forfeit upcoming contests, Salmo said. The football team will forfeit an Aug. 29 game against Sparta and the golf team will forfeit its first matchup, scheduled for Aug. 23, Salmo said.

He said the school board plans to contact a federal mediator over the weekend to conduct the next round of talks set to begin Monday at 11:00 a.m.

The high school district's 60 teachers and support workers called a strike Tuesday over wages and benefits. Their previous contract expired July 31.

Several Benton football players walked the picket line with their striking teachers Friday, urging them and the Benton Board of Education to agree on a contract. They said they aren't taking sides in the dispute, they just want to play.

Benton's football coaches won't hold practices until a contract is reached.

No one at the high school answered the telephone Friday afternoon.