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Sitthixay Ditthavong / AP
Members of the Chicago Teachers Union hold an informational picket outside Willa Cather Elementary School on Monday in an effort to call attention to ongoing contract talks with the city's Board of Education.
The Chicago Teacher's Union voted unanimously Thursday to strike on Sept. 10, with members agreeing to head to the picket lines unless a deal can be reached with the city’s schools -- a move that could affect 400,000 students.
The result of the ballot, cast at a Chinatown union hall, was met by cheers from the more than 700 delegates who voted.
The decision comes a day after CTU president Karen Lewis issued a 10-day strike notice. Sept. 10 is the earliest that teachers can strike, and the date falls a week after many students head back to class.
"We're tired of being bullied, belittled and betrayed," Lewis said at a news conference following the meeting. "We have done everything asked of us, yet we continue to be vilified and treated with disrespect."
Read the full story at NBCChicago.com
Lewis said negotiations will continue until a contract is hammered out that resolves concerns over wages, job security and a new evaluation system.
In a statement, Chicago Public Schools chief executive Jean-Claude Brizard said: “If our priority is our kids, then strike should never be an option.”
"Should CTU leaders decide to strike on September 10, more than 350,000 students will be taken out of their classroom, just as they're making progress with a Full School Day. Varsity sports for 11,000 student athletes will be suspended. More than 400,000 daily breakfasts and meals will no longer be served.
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“College transcripts and recommendations for 20,000 seniors will be put on hold. If our priority is our kids, then strike should never be an option. That's why we need to take advantage of each of the next 11 days and work until we reach a fair resolution for our teachers that will allow our kids to stay in school where they belong."
CPS officials have been making preparations in the event of a strike.
Brizard said the district plans to keep 145 schools open for half-days even if the Chicago Teachers Union calls a strike and teachers walk off the job. The union on Wednesday filed a 10-day strike notice that would allow them to strike as early as Sept. 10, just a week into the school year for a majority of public-school students.
If that happens Brizard said CPS will partner with City Sister Agencies, local faith organizations and other non-profits to keep kids engaged.
"We need to be prepared to provide our students with services they need should CTU leaders decide to strike, and our Children First plan will do that," Brizard said.
As part of the precautionary strategy announced Thursday, CPS would keep the group of schools open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to provide activities to children and keep them engaged in independent reading, arts, sports and computer-based programming.
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Per the plan, the schools would be staffed with Central Office personnel, non-CTU employees and organizations that submit a request for proposals to provide programming. Brizard said the staff-to-student ratio would be capped at 1 to 25.
CPS also said it will provide breakfast and lunch to all students at the locations and will extend between 70 and 80 Chicago Park District summer camps.
Brizard said he's committed to avoid a strike but says CPS will be ready if the teachers strike.
“These plans are simply a precaution," Brizard said, "but we have an obligation and responsibility to our children and their parents to make sure they are not left behind in the event of a strike.”
CPS said it is seeking a waiver from the Illinois High School Association to continue sports if teachers strike.
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I am from chicago I don't support them. I also have a teaching degree unfortunately my wife is in the military or I would be teaching and I would cross lines. As for seminars and classes in the summer, bull, a little here and there. My friends that teach come and visit our family, 2 weeks and then head to see other things in the summer. Most like firemen have summer jobs, not because they can't afford not to butbecause summer and off time gets boring. Unions are terrible, when I see them picketing, that makes go to that business. Vons in CA had a strike and I started shopping there, Verizon land line had a strike and I cancelled my service. I would gladly walk right in front of them. PIGS
Aren't teachers' union aligned with democrats? Hey emanuel, weren't you elected to take care of problems of chicago? I forgot, you are just like your former boss, the local chicago boy - obama. incompetent and big time failure!!!
I am a Chicago Teacher, holding the highest credentials of my profession, and dedicated to students. WHAT teachers are asking is:
Class sizes of less than 30, CPS kindergarten rooms in my building routinely have 40-50. NOTE: research says smaller classes lead to increased learning.
LESS standardized testing. Students are REQUIRED to take FIVE different sets of standardized tests the first two weeks and then throughout the year. Starting in pre-school. Teachers would like to teach, not proctor tests.
Decent working conditions: Air conditioning and reliable heat. My room was 92' yesterday.
Evaluations that reflect my profession: Police are not fired because their is a crime, Firemen because their is a fire. Evaluate us on the successes we show. 97% of students make growth, so I should be beaten for the 3% that refuse to learn, don't come to school. and have parents that fail in their job????
Many of us do not care about the RAISE, which many refuse to believe. It just makes better press for the uninformed. I do want the money they take from my salary for my pension to actually be paid into the pension fund instead of used as incentive monies for building Hyatt hotels and charter schools.
And note: Charter schools are paid for by tax payers, and keep upping the money grabbing. If every school were a charter taxes would explode. Do some research.
Welcome to education...those issues are not different then the majority of schools in this economic times...my school has a leaky roof, mold above the ceiling tiles, inconsistent room temperatures large classes, too many tests, AND 60% of the students with free/reduced hot lunch AND 8+% unemployment in the area. Where would the extra money come from? That is the real world, the average salary for CPS is $71,000. if you are at the top you make even more, you either teach because you care about the children or quit.
Lee,
If teachers cannot distinguish between "their" and "there", I really have to wonder why they are teaching at all. Of course, I fully expect you to respond that you are not an English teacher. But, perhaps you can explain how someone can manage to get a degree to teach with such poor skills.
Colleges and universities in IL turn out eight times as many new teachers every year as there are job openings. If the pay is so bad, then why do so many people go into the field?
Fire them all and let's see how well they do in their next job search.
All the pay raises will not make the students get better grades and improve what they learn in school.
Perfect opportunity to bust the unions. These teachers are living in la-la land. Times are tough all over. Teachers, quality teachers, have been laid off all over the country. They are just itching to get back into a classroom and do what they do best. If anyone in Chicago clanks when the walk, they'll tell the union to take a hike, hire non-union teachers who actually want to work. Hey, dumb union members, times ARE tough. All over. There are thousands waiting to step into your jobs. Is quitting really what you want to do? All the laid-off Michigan educators are probably licking their chops, ready to step right in and continue educating students, without interruption. A strike? Really? Your leaders are idiots.
I am amazed at the ignorance in the comments. But to be fair ignorance (I did not say stupidity) is based on not knowing, or having incorrect or outdated of, the facts. I have worked at CPS for 23 years and I make 75K. This includes pension and benefits. This is also before my deductions: healthcare (80/20 BCBS) 1.7K, pension 7%, union dues (which if you don't join you must pay an equivalent "fee" to CPS as your representative) 850, and taxes (YES teachers are taxpayers too). And 22.2% goes into a deferred pay mount account so I get paid in the summer,which earns CPS the interest instead of me.
Sorry folks, but these are the facts; not the 69k plus benefits average that is touted here. I would not be surprised if that average were true if you add CPS central office where countless Chiefs of some dept. or other are making two to three times what I make.
Last point: the CPS offered a 2% raise which is fine by me given the economy, but they also proposed a 1.8% increase in healthcare and a doubling of the copayment for doctor, lab, and emergency room visits. I don't mind putting in an hour more per day, but don't charge me for it!
And I make 42k before deductions and would not consider striking...since I live and work in Walker's WI it is not an option...if you think you can make more elsewhere go for it.
Oh, one last comment...almost forgot where I am employed we have not received a raise in 5 years and have not received a raise of over 2% in the last 20 years! In fact the highest raise we ever received, while I was teaching, was 6% and that was way back in the 70's...so stuff that in your pipe and smoke it!
So ask yourself this, if the pay is not commensurate with the amount of education needed, time, and expense, then who would want to enter this major in school let alone make it their living?
And I am not talking about the spouse using this as a vacation plan, extra family income, etc...
I am talking about someone who is at the precipice of making this their carreer choice that they will need to live with raising a family at age 30-35 making about $35K a year. Not talking about the spouse using this for a second income just to have some "things".
After reading your comments, I wish now I had never entered the field in the first place. You have absolutely no regard for education and what it really entails.
You and your comments are a sad reflection on what our society has become and not just concerning education!
So, in the near future with...oh never mind, you are just not worth it!