CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) may be closer to a strike after rejecting a report from an independent arbitrator that was released Wednesday.
The CTU said the third party arbitrator found Chicago Public Schools have more money to offer teachers than they’ve let on. Something that surprised President Stacy Davis Gates.
“I’m just as dumbfounded to be perfectly honest with you, reading through it myself because I did not expect to read some of the things that I read,” Davis Gates said.
The union said the 19-page report did not address other issues in the contract such as class size, teacher prep time and evaluations that Davis Gates claims is biased against Black teachers.
They’re rejecting it, which means bargaining will continue.
CPS said the report applauded the district for academic progress and that it’s “carefully reviewing all of the recommendations to figure out the most effective way forward.”
CPS maintains the 16 percent cost of living raise proposal across four years is more than what has been offered in past contracts, and they can’t afford any more than that.
Here is the Chicago Public Schools’ full statement:
“Chicago Public Schools (CPS) respects the thorough and objective analysis of the neutral factfinder, and is carefully reviewing all of the recommendations, including the financial, operational and educational implications, to determine the most effective course of action for advancing negotiations.
“The report commends the District’s ‘admirable record in the delivery of educational services,’ naming CPS as ‘one of the top and most improved large urban school districts in the country.’ The report also underscores the financial obstacles faced by the District, a sentiment that was corroborated by an independent review by the Civic Federation.
“The District’s approach to negotiations remains fully student-centered, prioritizing the preservation and enhancement of robust programs that have supported CPS’ impressive academic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. CPS is dedicated to providing educators with the compensation, tools, and resources they deserve, ensuring this is achieved in a sustainable and fiscally responsible manner.
“We agree with the neutral factfinder’s hope, ‘that this report will help facilitate the parties to reach agreement on their CBA so that they can continue the amazing job they are doing in serving our City's most precious resource, its school children.’”
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