Illinois Policy Institute experts available to comment on strike vote, contract negotiations, schools budget and pending walkout
CHICAGO (Dec. 14, 2015) – The Chicago Teachers Union announced this morning that 88 percent of teachers have voted to strike if the union and city do not reach a contract agreement. Of teachers who voiced their opinion in the strike authorization vote, 96.5 percent voted “yes” to walk off the job.
According to an Illinois Policy Institute analysis of the most recent Chicago Teachers Union contract, since 2012 teachers have received double digit pay increases. Experts from the Illinois Policy Institute are available for interviews on the results of the strike authorization vote, the teachers’ contract, the city and Chicago Public Schools’ finances and educational outcomes in Chicago. The Illinois Policy Institute has studied CPS and the CTU closely since the most recent teacher strike in 2012.
Experts available:
Ted Dabrowski, vice president of policy – can give interviews in Spanish and English
John Tillman, CEO (available by phone only)
Vice President of Policy Ted Dabrowski issued the following reaction to today’s strike vote:
“Today’s news that 88 percent of Chicago teachers are willing to walk off the job to force higher wages and fight off much-needed accountability standards is saddening. When the Chicago Teachers Union went on strike in 2012, students were kept out of the classroom for more than a week. They came back to a school system that remained largely unchanged – except that teachers walked away with double digit raises in the wake of a financial crisis. The strike of 2012 pushed the city towards bankruptcy and caused teacher layoffs. This time around, the Chicago Teachers Union again is ignoring the fiscal reality in the city and is focused on making sure teacher standards are as weak as possible. Chicago students deserve a world-class education, and that is not happening. Kids in Chicago deserve better, and it’s time for them to be the focus of these talks.”
**Illinois Policy Institute spokespeople are available for in-person, phone or Skype interviews.
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For bookings or interviews: Nathaniel Hamilton or Diana Rickert 312-607-4977