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Chicago Public Schools
Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
7:03pm
Tue Jul 24, 2012

Longer School Day Deal Reached Between CTU, CPS

The Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools announced this afternoon an interim agreement that will let Mayor Rahm Emanuel go forward with his desired seven-hour school day, while also more or less maintaining the workload of teachers.

Both CTU President Karen Lewis and Emanuel billed the compromise as a breakthrough victory.

The agreement does not necessarily mean that the two sides are close to reaching a deal on a new contract, but it does set precise 2013-14 school day guidelines and also lets up to 477 laid off teachers return to work. Read more »

Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
9:01pm
Wed Jul 18, 2012

School District, Teachers Quickly Do Away With Fact Finder's Report

The clock is ticking on a new contract agreement between the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools after both the CTU House of Delegates and Board of Education swiftly and unanimously rejected a third party fact finder's report this afternoon.

The report recommended an 18 percent salary increase next year for teachers largely due to implementation of a seven-hour school day. The union agreed with the raise proposal from arbitrator Edwin Benn, but rejected other parts of the report including Benn not prescribing a recall procedure for laid off teachers. In addition to the well-documented salary dispute, these reasons for rejecting the report will shape ensuing contract negotiations.

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Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
5:25pm
Mon Jul 16, 2012

CTU: Fact Finder Recommends Significant Raise For Teachers

An independent fact finder may have delivered a major victory for the Chicago Teachers Union: a recommendation that teachers get an almost 15 percent raise for the upcoming school year as compensation for a longer school day.

“We do agree with his initial recommendations that our members deserve significant pay raises,” said Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis said at a press conference this afternoon.

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Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
5:53pm
Thu Jul 12, 2012
1 comment

Maligned CPS Budget Proposal Might Not Be Final Version

What do the Chicago Teachers Union, Occupy Chicago, the Chicago Tribune editorial page, the Chicago Civic Federation, and Moody’s credit rating agency all have in common? They have each slammed the Chicago Public Schools for proposing a budget that drains the system’s entire $349 million rainy day fund.

The widespread disapproval raises the question of whether the Board of Education, which is appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and typically rubber stamps any CPS proposal, might suggest changes to the new budget at its July 26 meeting. Read more »

Quick Hit
by Ellyn Fortino
2:23pm
Wed Jun 27, 2012

Parents, Teachers Rally For Fair Contract, Better School Conditions At Board Of Ed Meeting

In three days, Chicago Public Schools teachers will see their contracts expire. This morning, members of the Chicago Teachers Union along with dozens of public school parents and students rallied outside CPS headquarters, calling on the Board of Education to negotiate non-salary issues.

Since November 2011, the CTU has negotiated with the Board of Education for a fair labor contract. The union presented the board with proposals for art, music and foreign language classes for all students, smaller class sizes, properly staffed schools and fair compensation for teachers, among other education-improvement efforts. 

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