Chicago Teachers Union decides against taking strike vote

CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Teachers Union has decided against striking over the lack of a contract, for now.

The union's House of Delegates met Wednesday and did not take a vote on a strike or set a strike date. Union officials have indicated teachers could wait until fall to strike. Union Vice President Jesse Sharkey said there's concern over losing health insurance and end-of-the-year pay checks.

Chicago teachers have been working without a contract for nearly a year. An independent fact-finder declared last month the Chicago Public Schools' most recent contract offer was fair. It would phase out a 7 percent pension benefit the district paid for teachers and include raises over four years. The union rejected the findings.

Chicago Public Schools Chief Education Officer Janice Jackson says negotiations continue.