After what seemed a promising end to negotiations, the Chicago Teachers Union has issued the 10 day notice of its intent to strike. The official date is September 9, with Monday September 10 being the first school day to be impacted.
Taking what sounds like a hard line, CTU President Karen Lewis said, “I want to make clear that we will remain at the (negotiating) table until a deal gets done. We will have a contract and it will come the easy way or the hard way.”
CPS Chief Jean-Claude Brizard said they would be prepared to keep the children in school in the event of a strike with a budget of $25 million allocated. According to the Chicago Tribune, the plan includes:
- 145 schools open from 8:30am-12:30pm Monday through Friday, for student activities
- central office and non-CTU employees will oversee students
- outside organizations will be enlisted as partners to provide a place for students to go
- in school, children will be engaged in independent reading, writing, art, athletics and computer work. They can not be taught by non-CTU employees.
- students would be provided with breakfast and lunch at all facilities.
- Chicago Park District summer camps may be extended and public libraries may be made available to students
While it is my sincere hope an agreement is reached before a walkout, should strike occur, College Nannies + Tutors is prepared to provide additional childcare to our clients and will issue a special strike plan to advise them how to access on call childcare during that time.
Here are some links to local coverage of the strike and negotiations:
WBEZ
http://www.wbez.org/news/teachers-union-files-strike-notice-keep-contract-talks-moving-102072?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+cpreducation+%28WBEZ+News%3A+Education%29
Chicago Sun Times
http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/14802320-418/chicago-teachers-unions-notice-could-allow-strike-in-10-days.html
Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-cps-strike-notice-0830-20120830,0,1018577.story
