The Shaler Area Education Association set a strike date of Nov. 27 if the union and school board do not agree on contract terms.

The announcement may come as a surprise because the union's chief negotiator, Validia Giddens, stood up at the Oct. 10 board meeting and said how pleased she was with the progress. ( http://www.yournorthhills.com/northhillsnews/article/new-contracts-sough... )

Shaler Superintendent Dr. Don Lee said the two sides are "ridiculously close" and thinks the announcement may just be a strategy to push for more progress.

Giddens said the reason for the change of heart is because the union was on board with Lee's proposal last month. The school board, she said, didn't agree with it, and it left her and the teachers surprised.

Giddens said issues like salary, health care and work days are among four or five that need cleaned up.

"We're probably closer together than further apart," Giddens said.

Both Lee and Giddens said they don't want a strike. Giddens said if they progress toward a firm enough offer so that they could develop a proposal, the strike would not take place.

The two sides have two more negotiation sessions scheduled for Nov. 16 and 19, and Lee said they'll hold more if needed.

See the Nov. 14 issue of the Pine Creek Journal for the what Lee has to say. Check out the Nov. 21 issue for Giddens' take on the announcement.