HUNTLEY – District 158’s teachers' union “overwhelmingly” authorized the ability to strike in a membership meeting Wednesday, according to a Huntley Education Association news release.

The vote means that HEA’s 600-plus members can picket 28 days after an official impasse in negotiations is declared. But HEA still is committed to bargaining with the district board, the release states.

The two sides will meet with a mediator Nov. 13 to try and iron out a new contract. The two have been negotiating since July and requested a third-party mediator earlier this fall.