Austintown Education Association issues intent-to-strike notice

AUSTINTOWN — Members of the Austintown Education Association voted unanimously tonight to authorize their negotiation team to issue a 10-day notice of intent to strike as the team sees fit.

“We certainly do not take this step lightly or without a lot of thought,” said Barb Tomic, AEA president and spokeswoman. “However, the actions of both Superintendent [Vincent] Colaluca and the board’s bargaining team have left us no choice.”

No strike date has been set as the union said it remains hopeful about the upcoming mediation session scheduled for Monday with a federal mediator. The AEA represents approximately 315 teachers, nurses, guidance counselors, librarians, and speech therapists. They have been working without a contract since Aug. 29, 2012.