Springfield teachers ratify labor contract

Members of the Springfield Education Association Tuesday ratified the labor agreement reached more than a week ago between the teachers' union and the Springfield Local Schools.

The vote total was not available, but the 233-member union approved the contract "by a pretty large margin," said Marty Perlaky, union president.

The two sides reached agreement on a contract May 11. Earlier that week, union members voted unanimously to let their representatives serve the district with a 10-day strike notice.

The previous contract expired June 30, 2011. A federal mediator was unable to resolve issues as the two sides negotiated.

Details of the new contract have not been released pending approval by both sides. Mr. Perlaky said the school board is likely to consider the tentative agreement at a meeting today.