Teachers Union To File Strike Notice

By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 29, 2012 1:30PM

Your move, Chicago Public Schools. The Chicago Teachers Union is expected to file a 10-day strike notice later today as negotiations between them and CPS remain tense and largely unproductive.

Filing the strike notice does not mean teachers will indeed strike but if they do decide to walk off the job the earliest they can do so is next Friday, which would be the end of the first full week of school for most CPS students.

CTU president Karen Lewis said negotiations on a new labor deal with CPS were still far apart during a town hall meeting at Trinity All Nations Church.

“I think the problem is, people have been so focused on pretty narrow issues, not understanding that this is a really bigger battle, and a bigger fight,” Lewis said.

Even though the two sides were able to reach an agreement on launching a longer school day while teachers worked the same hours, they haven’t been able to agree salary, pay raises based on experience, job evaluations and re-hiring laid-off teachers.

CPS released a statement saying they would be ready in the event of a strike.

“Students can’t afford to be removed from their classroom at a time when they’re starting to make progress with the Full School Day. They belong in school with their teachers, which is why we need to stay at the table and keep negotiating, every day if needed, until we reach a fair resolution.”

CPS has earmarked up to $25 million on a strike contingency plan where they would provide food, shelter and other “non-instructional services” to students affected by a possible strike.