Chicago Public Schools (CPS) officials and Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) leaders seemed close to a contract agreement on Thursday. The talks have gone on for nearly a year. All parties looked very tired.
Despite making a lot of progress, the day ended without a deal. This could lead to a strike vote soon. School Board President Sean Harden said CPS and CTU were “extremely close” to an agreement.
But the expected deal was not reached. CTU leaders then set a special meeting for their 500-member governing body, the House of Delegates. In the past, such meetings have led to strike votes.
But a work stoppage does not seem likely now. CPS came back to the bargaining table on Thursday morning. They had new offers about more planning time for teachers and extra pay for veteran educators.
They also talked about how often some teachers should be evaluated. This was the last big issue. Mayor Brandon Johnson also tried to find a compromise during a tense City Hall meeting.
Because of this, the Board of Education delayed an important vote. It was on a proposed change to the CPS budget late in the year. The change included paying back City Hall for a long-argued pension payment.
It would also fund the CTU agreement. At the start of the board’s monthly meeting, Harden said the change was taken back due to the ongoing talks. “This morning they met, and considerable progress has been made,” Harden said.
“I’m very pleased about that.” He said the budget change would be voted on soon.
Chicago schools near contract agreement
If the expected vote had failed, it would have been very embarrassing for Mayor Johnson.
His office and CPS have been dealing with budget problems since late summer. Johnson needs the school board to approve the district’s pension payment. This would ensure a balanced 2024 budget.
It would also secure a CTU contract without a strike. CPS CEO Pedro Martinez has been against making the pension payment. He says the district does not have the money to cover both the pension and the CTU contract.
The district would need an extra $240 million to pay for both. The mayor’s office and an independent financial report suggested options like more borrowing or refinancing debt. But Martinez has said no to these ideas as not being responsible with money.
After Harden postponed the vote, Mayor Johnson said he was sure a CTU agreement was close. He stressed how important it was for stability in schools and communities. “Board members have expressed a desire for clarity on the final cost of the contract before voting on the budget amendment,” Johnson stated.
CTU had planned a news conference before the board meeting to keep pressure for a deal. However, Union President Stacy Davis Gates and Vice President Jackson Potter did not show up. They were busy negotiating.
A union member held a sign at the press event that said “almost there.” American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten talked to reporters. She urged CTU and CPS to reach a fair contract and focus on bigger challenges. Despite frustrations, a strike does not seem likely for several reasons.
It could hurt the reputation of Mayor Johnson, whom the CTU supported in his election. Also, the union does not usually strike over small differences. And CTU leaders have spent recent weeks highlighting wins in the talks to their members rather than pushing for a strike.
Image Credits: Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
