2019-10-30 22:41:57
In a social media post, the Chicago Teachers Union has announced it has reached a tentative deal with Chicago Public Schools, but says that a “return to work” agreement has yet to be reached in the ongoing teachers strike.
The post was sent out just after 8:30 p.m. Wednesday night following a House of Delegates meeting:
According to the House of Delegates, 362 votes were cast in favor of accepting the tentative agreement, with 242 opposed to the deal.
“We believe this is an agreement that will produce real lasting benefits in our schools,” CTU President Jesse Sharkey said.
One of the sticking points in negotiations has been the refusal by Mayor Lori Lightfoot to add make-up dates to the end of the school calendar, and teachers say that they will rally at City Hall on Thursday at 10 a.m. to pressure the mayor into reversing her stance on the issue.
“We do not understand why the mayor can’t simply call and say ‘we’ll give you an agreement to make up the instructional time,”http://www.nbcchicago.com/” Sharkey said. “If I get a call and she says that, we will be back at work.
“Our delegates told us in no uncertain terms we weren’t going back to work unless there was a provision made to make up the instructional days missed in the last 11 days,” he added.
Late Wednesday, CPS officials announced that classes will be canceled for the 11th day as the strike continues.
The union also says that they have voted to suspend the strike, but the suspension is contingent on Lightfoot adding make-up instruction dates to the end of the school calendar, something the mayor has been opposed to doing.