No School On Friday For CPS Students; Rally At Union Park Saturday
By Chuck Sudo in News on Sep 13, 2012 8:20PM
That glimmer of hope for school on Friday has officially been snuffed. A press release from the Chicago Teachers Union read that classes will not resume Friday, even if a new labor deal is reached. CTU president Karen Lewis said,
“We are optimistic but we are still hammering things out. Schools will not open Friday. Talks are ongoing. We’ve made progress in some areas, but still we have a way to go. Teachers, paraprofessionals and clinicians remain hopeful but energized.”
Lewis and the team that's been negotiating a new contract will meet with the union's Board of Delegates 2 p.m. Friday to update them on the progress of the talks. This is important because the Board of Delegates will eventually vote on whether to accept a deal is the two sides come to terms or to end the strike.
CTU is planning a "Wisconsin-style" labor rally noon Sept. 15 at Union Park where hundreds of supporters are expected to show solidarity with the union.
Finally, avoid Michigan Avenue between Wacker Drive and Congress starting at 3;30 p.m. The union will be marching, according to Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd).