By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Members of the St. Louis teachers' union plan a silent protest outside tonight's (Tuesday) city school board meeting.
The teachers have been working without a valid contract for nearly four months. The union's contract technically expired on June 30, but it's been extended by one month on four separate occasions.
Teachers want to negotiate a multi-year deal, but union president Mary Armstrong says some concerns about this school year's contract still linger.
"We're talking about salaries, we're talking about working conditions, we're talking about supplies, we're talking about extra service pay; anything that involves money or economic issues is still up on the table," Armstrong said Monday.
"We really need to settle the issue of economics with the district so that the employees can start planning for their families and things that they need to do. Right now they can't do that."
Armstrong added teachers are also concerned about discipline and administrative issues.
The teachers will hold candles in silent protest during the school board meeting.
The St. Louis school board meets Tuesday night at 7:00 at Carr Lane Middle School. The teachers' contract is not on the agenda.