Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis announced moments ago that teachers in the nations’ third largest school district will strike beginning Monday.
Talks broke down this evening with CPS officials addressing only “cost of living” increases with 3% the first year, 2% the next three years. Inexplicably, a CPS official quantified the increase as “16%” – at the least, a misleading number.
Unresolved issues include qualified teachers being recalled after layoff from previously closed schools; classroom conditions, safety, poverty, district-wide inequality in poorer districts, and use of “TIF” funds impacting school revenues.
Badger Democracy will be updating daily, and reporting from Chicago throughout the strike about the issues, teachers, and officials involved.
