UPDATE: A union spokesman says the school board has given a final offer and although they are disappointed, they are reviewing it with other union members right now.

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Harrison Hills teachers' union members were joined by some unexpected support before negotiations with the school board began Thursday.

Local steelworkers and miners joined teachers to cheer from the Harrison County Courthouse steps as the negotiating teams went back to the bargaining table.

Local union representatives said the dispute affects all of them.

"We're all union and they're fighting a good cause. We're here to support. They supported Wheeling-Pitt when we went on strike," said Santo Santoro, of the United Steelworkers of America. "If this continues, we'll see a lot more steelworkers coming in from the Valley."

The group chanted through the chilly weather and was eventually let inside to keep warm.

"We set up shop out here, so they are invited to come down, sit in the rain and cold, and maybe this will get resolved faster," said Linda Rusen, Harrison Hill Teachers' Association spokeswoman.

Judges Michael Nunner and Matthew Puskarich cleared their schedules to make way for the bargaining session, saying they hope both sides see the damage the 11-day strike is doing to the community.

As of 4:45 p.m., both sides remained behind closed doors in separate rooms trying to agree on a fair deal. Stay with NEWS9 and WTOV9.com for continuing coverage as details become available.

-Renee Cardelli & Jackie Cain, NEWS9