Teachers Union Holding "Informal Pickets" As Contract Negotiations Continue

By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 20, 2012 6:20PM

The Chicago Teachers Union has been holding what they call "informal pickets" of Track E schools today as they continue negotiations with the Chicago School Board on a new contract. So far those talks have been contentious, to say the least.

The two sides are nowhere near a deal on a new contract to replace the one that expired June 30. CTU can call a full strike but has to give the School Board a 10 day notice under state law. A statement released to media quotes CTU president Karen Lewis as saying:

“Students come first, but you can’t have a quality school district by putting a fair and equitable labor agreement last. After Labor Day we want to be where we belong—in the classroom; however, if talks continue as they have been, we will be where we need to be (and that is) on the line.”

CTU has planned the pickets so as not to interfere with daily classroom activities at the Track E, which began their school year last week. Track E schools where pickets will happen this afternoon include Banneker Elementary (6656 S. Normal Blvd.); Burke Elementary (5356 S. King Dr.); Cather Elementary (2908 W. Washington Blvd.); and Sherwood Elementary (245 W. 57th St.). Pickets were held this morning outside Azuela Elementary (4707 W. Marquette Rd.) and Castellanos Elementary (2524 S. Central Park Ave.).