Charter school teacher strike heading into sixth day

CHICAGO (Fox 32 News) - The first-ever charter school teacher strike will head into a sixth day on Sunday with no signs of stopping.

Teachers from the Acero schools in Chicago got some high-powered help on the picket lines Saturday. They want Acero CEO Richard Rodriguez to come to the bargaining table.

"It is shameful that this strike as it goes into it's fifth day, its executive has yet to arrive at the negotiating table," said Rep-elect Chuy Garcia (D-Chicago). "Today we say sit with those that you should be working in partnership with, solve the problems that they have brought to the table and ensure that these schools open up for our children on Monday morning."

Acero educators say some demands have been met, but that the two sides are not close. 

Striking teachers are demanding smaller class sizes; they say the current average is 32 to 1. They also want pay that is comparable to what CPS teachers make.

"When you have 32 students per classroom that is not respecting our students," said Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th). "When you refused to provide our teachers, our educators who work tirelessly for our students, when you refuse to give them fair pay, that's not respecting our teachers."

Acero filed a labor dispute calling the strike illegal on Friday. The school claims the union is engaged in "regressive bargaining tactics."

The strike affects about 7,500 students.