Chicago Teachers Union rejects fact finding report, teeters on the edge of a strike
CTU rejects fact finding report, teeters on the edge of a strike
The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) may be one step closer to going on strike after rejecting an independent fact-finding report about ongoing negotiations.
CHICAGO - The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) may be one step closer to going on strike after rejecting an independent fact-finding report about ongoing negotiations.
What we know:
The CTU rejected the report less than 24 hours after it was released, signaling a possible strike.
On Thursday, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) officials said a strike cannot occur for at least 30 days. While they can announce a strike, it cannot begin within the next 30 days.
CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said the arbitrator's report highlights the district’s severe financial constraints, though the union claims it shows the district has more resources than it admits.
The fact-finder sided with the district on salary raises and five staffing proposals, but agreed with the union on the need for more librarians and increased pay for veteran staff.
What they're saying:
"The way I read the report was, he saw how close we were and he's like, ‘okay, maybe for the first time, I can actually produce a report that both parties will agree.’ That's what he was trying to do…," Martinez said. "There is nothing, nothing to justify a strike."
What's next:
Martinez said they keep getting closer to reaching an agreement, and the district will keep going to the bargaining table in good faith until an agreement is reached.
The CTU president said they couldn't agree with the report because that would've been the end of bargaining, but she did say the report gave her renewed optimism about a deal being reached.