Continual coverage of the Chicago teachers strike.
8 a.m. 'Honk for more art and music'
About 100 teachers picketed at Lake View High School this morning, carrying coffee mugs and signs that said “We’re tired of the Rahm-around” and “Honk for more art and music classes.”
Cars driving by the intersection of Irving Park Road and Ashland Avenue honked in support, raising group cheers from the teachers.
Melissa Zagorski, a physics teacher and union representative at the schools, said one of the main sticking points for her is the district’s evaluation system, which she feels is unfair. “They will use this evaluation system to get rid of higher paid teachers,” she said. “We think a fair contract is what’s best for the students.”
She said she was not surprised negotiations didn’t prevent a strike because she said the district’s negotiators only began moving in the direction of compromise in the past couple of days.
Her colleague Linda Kim, an English teacher, agreed. “They said yesterday the strike is our choice. It could have been their choice to resolve this a while ago … They could resolve this any day, but they’re choosing not to.”
Naomi Nix
7:45 a.m. Teachers complain about classroom conditions
About a dozen teachers were protesting outside Benjamin Banneker Elementary School on the South Side.
The teachers wore red union T-shirts and carried signs with slogans such as “Fair Contract Now!” and “On Strike for Better Schools.”
Eighth-grade teacher Michael Williams says he hopes for a quick contract resolution. But he says wages and classroom conditions need to be improved, including air-conditioning in the classroom.
Banneker has students in kindergarten through eighth grade and no air-conditioning. Williams says students have fainted in the hot classroom conditions.
Associated Press
7:30 a.m. 'Clear they were headed for this'
Chicago Public Schools president David Vitale said this morning the two sides were "very close" before the teachers went on strike.
"We are very close," he said as teachers set up pickets throughout the city. Vitale said 20 proposals had been discussed over the last four days "to close the gap."
He said the union appeared intent on striking. "It's clear they were headed for this."
Tribune staff
8 a.m. 'Honk for more art and music'
About 100 teachers picketed at Lake View High School this morning, carrying coffee mugs and signs that said “We’re tired of the Rahm-around” and “Honk for more art and music classes.”
Cars driving by the intersection of Irving Park Road and Ashland Avenue honked in support, raising group cheers from the teachers.
Melissa Zagorski, a physics teacher and union representative at the schools, said one of the main sticking points for her is the district’s evaluation system, which she feels is unfair. “They will use this evaluation system to get rid of higher paid teachers,” she said. “We think a fair contract is what’s best for the students.”
She said she was not surprised negotiations didn’t prevent a strike because she said the district’s negotiators only began moving in the direction of compromise in the past couple of days.
Her colleague Linda Kim, an English teacher, agreed. “They said yesterday the strike is our choice. It could have been their choice to resolve this a while ago … They could resolve this any day, but they’re choosing not to.”
Naomi Nix
7:45 a.m. Teachers complain about classroom conditions
About a dozen teachers were protesting outside Benjamin Banneker Elementary School on the South Side.
The teachers wore red union T-shirts and carried signs with slogans such as “Fair Contract Now!” and “On Strike for Better Schools.”
Eighth-grade teacher Michael Williams says he hopes for a quick contract resolution. But he says wages and classroom conditions need to be improved, including air-conditioning in the classroom.
Banneker has students in kindergarten through eighth grade and no air-conditioning. Williams says students have fainted in the hot classroom conditions.
Associated Press
7:30 a.m. 'Clear they were headed for this'
Chicago Public Schools president David Vitale said this morning the two sides were "very close" before the teachers went on strike.
"We are very close," he said as teachers set up pickets throughout the city. Vitale said 20 proposals had been discussed over the last four days "to close the gap."
He said the union appeared intent on striking. "It's clear they were headed for this."
Tribune staff