Chicago, union reach agreement in 11-day teachers’ strike

The city of Chicago has reached a tentative deal with the local teachers’ union following a days-long strike by teachers in the city.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) tweeted that the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) had reached a deal with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and that classes would resume Friday.

BREAKING: Mayor Lightfoot, @ChiPubSchools reach contract deal with @CTUlocal1 leadership. CPS classes will resume tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/rMmoBSu4sc

— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) October 31, 2019

The deal was reached Wednesday, although striking continued Thursday over makeup days, according to a statement from the union.{mosads}

The union later tweeted that it had also reached an agreement with Chicago on makeup days and confirmed that classes would resume Friday.

“This historic agreement recognizes and values the voice and experience of Chicago educators, and turns the page and provides a new pathway for CPS and our rank-and-file members to do right by students and families,” union President Jesse Sharkey said in the statement.

“This deal will move us closer to ensuring that our most vulnerable students receive the instruction, resources and wraparound services they need to thrive. No educator wants to leave their classroom, but our 10-day struggle was the only option we had to enshrine, ensure and enforce real change for our students and school communities,” Sharkey added. 

The union leader also said the contract would put a nurse and social worker in every school. The deal must be voted on by CTU members before it can take effect, which will take place 10 days after the strike ends.