Catherwood LibraryILR School

Chicago teachers are continuing negotiations with the city this week, and the two sides remain far apart on raises, tying to pay to test scores and graduate degrees, as well as job security. Union members have given approval for a strike, which means that the union could file a 10-day strike notice at any time. The lack of notice so far means that school will start as planned this fall. Teachers have been preparing for negotiations and a possible strike for the past nine months. The city has proposed 2% pay increases for each year of the contract, while the union has asked for 30% increases over two years. Last month an arbitrator said that teachers should get a 15-20% raise in return for a longer school day. Last year, the district decided to rescind a 4% pay increase, a move that made many teachers angry. The Mayor's office said that they were doing what is right for the schools.