The district and its employees have had a long history of labor problems, dating back to the 1960s.

[20] In September 1976, the teachers union again authorized a strike, this time at the cost of seven days of school.

When the strike took place, teachers were threatened with firing, which a judge requested the school board delay.

[22] 1979 saw another strike, though classes were able to resume on a modified schedule with teachers who crossed the picket line and substitutes.

[24] A 1985 strike lasting 11 days ended after the teachers and Board of Education submitted to an arbitrator to solve final details of the contract.

[28] The situation worsened when it was learned that the federal mediator had taken a week off to attend a conference at a resort.

The Illinois Labor Relations Board publicly condemned both sides for failing to work in earnest to end the strike.

[31] The final contract was ratified in January 1997, with the district stating an estimated cost of the strike at US$300,000, including a need to sweep areas for electronic eavesdropping devices.