CTU rejects fact-finder, moves closer to strike
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A third-party fact-finding report meant to break the contract impasse between the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools largely sided with CPS officials, leading the CTU to reject it.
Why it matters: The rejection starts a 30-day countdown after which the CTU can give the district a 10-day strike notice.
The big picture: Citing possible tariff-driven inflation and withholding of federal funds under President Trump, the report forecasts an uncertain financial picture for the district.
- It supports CPS' proposed 4% to 5% annual raises, plus CTU's proposals to add 90 new librarians hired by 2029 and more family engagement coordinators, Chalkbeat reports.
Yes but: It does not weigh in on CTU demands for revamping teacher evaluations and more teacher prep time through enrichment classes like art or music.
Meanwhile: The Service Employees International Union's (SEIU) Illinois council this month declared itself under attack by the CTU under current CTU contract proposals, the Tribune reports.
- SEIU says the CTU wants to allow its classroom assistants to do the work of SEIU-represented special education classroom assistants, thereby poaching members or at least its members' work.
Rhymefest resolution: Rapper, activist and elected CPS board member Che "Rhymefest" Smith plans to introduce a resolution this month to require the next head of CPS (after fired CEO Pedro Martinez finishes his final months) to be an educator rather than an accountant or administrator.
- He wants a superintendent rather than CEO to helm the district to create "leadership that is education-focused, not business-focused, looking at schools as business or children as commodities," he tells WBEZ.
What's next: CPS officials and the CTU will continue bargaining, but now with a clock that could allow the union to announce a strike in early March.