(WEST FRANKFORT, IL) — There’s a chance that teachers in West Frankfort could walk off the job come this spring. According to the Frankfort American, the West Frankfort Federation of Teachers Local 817 recently filed an intent to strike notice with local, regional and state officials. Teachers in West Frankfort have not had a contract since August. Negotiations for a new contract didn’t start until September. Their dispute is over teacher pay saying teachers have accepted minimal raises and younger teachers have given up a “step” pay increase in their contracts. The union’s president told the paper four union representatives and three school board members have met five times. They will meet again and be joined by a federal mediator on Feb. 3. The union says teachers could begin their strike about a month following that meeting.