catalyst-chicago.org

For the first time in a quarter of a century, CPS teachers are on strike.

In announcing that negotiations had failied, union leaders emphasized that compensation took a backseat as they want this contract to tackle bigger education issues, include greater protections for displaced teachers and lessen the weight that test scores have in teacher evaluations.

“This is a difficult decision and one we hoped we could avoid,” said CTU President Karen Lewis. “We must do things differently in this city if we are to give our students the education they deserve.” 

Community members from Bronzeville, Pilsen and Humboldt Park gathered outside the Chicago Teachers Union's Merchandise Mart headquarters Friday afternoon to teachers to call off Monday's strike.

The press conference was organized by Democrats for Education Reform/Education Reform Now.

Corey Brown, a 17-year-old senior at Clemente High School in Humboldt Park, said the strike would have a negative impact on the football season.

This story includes a link below to the list of sites for CPS' "Children First" program.

As CPS released new details on its strike contingency plan, pastors representing over 100 African-American and Latino churches demanded that CPS and the Chicago Teachers Union come to agreement on a contract, pledged to offer programs for students if teachers strike and charged that CPS has been slow to prepare for a possible walkout.