News, Politics

Chicago’s teacher strike is about to enter another week, with no end in sight

 

Marathon talks to end the Chicago teachers’ strike stalled again, meaning 300,000 students will miss a third day of classes Monday.

The Chicago Teachers Union and city officials negotiated through the weekend but couldn’t reach a deal. So no one knows when 25,000 educators in the country’s third-biggest school district will return to school.
“These negotiations must move more swiftly so that we can get students back into school as fast as possible,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Sunday.
Teachers picket at Joyce Kilmer Elementary School on the second day of the Chicago teachers’ strike.
“Our team has been turning around thoughtful counteroffers at a rapid pace. We are hopeful that CTU will meet that pace … so we can bring this process to a fair and responsible end.”
The union’s demands echo what teachers across the country are fighting for: smaller class sizes, more support staff, higher raises and more school funding.
But the mayor and Chicago Public Schools say it’s just not realistic to fund everything the union wants.
“CPS is not flush with cash,” the mayor said. “The fact is there is no more money. Period.”

Source: Chicago’s teacher strike is about to enter another week, with no end in sight