CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Teacher’s Union’s 65-person “big bargaining” team arrived at CTU headquarters on Monday with optimism about reaching an agreement on a new four-year contract.
Following a year of challenging negotiations, the focus now lies on three key unresolved issues: teacher evaluations, prep time for elementary school teachers, and increased compensation for veteran educators.
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Vicki Kurzydlo is in her 31st year of teaching.
One of the bargaining team members, Kurzydlo, who is also a veteran teacher, emphasized the significance of addressing the concerns of experienced educators. She highlighted the role veteran teachers play in providing stability, enriching school environments, and offering valuable mentorship.
The proposed deal includes an annual 4 percent cost of living raise. It is the same offer Chicago Public Schools offered the union last summer.
CTU originally asked for 9% annual raises. In addition, the agreement calls for more school librarians, counselors and nurses: something, the union successfully received in their last contract.
“Our contracts are cumulative; so, they build off of one another. So, every single contract we win a little bit more, and we move a little bit forward. And we keep going up and up and up,” Kurzydlo
The proposed agreement came a week after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson met with CPS CEO Pedro Martinez and CTU President Stacy Davis Gates at City Hall.
On Sunday, the former CPS teacher and CTU organizer took credit for being the first mayor in over a decade to possibly settle a contract without a strike.
“No other mayor brought Chicago Public Schools, the Board of Education, the Mayor’s office and the CTU to the table to make sure our children get exactly what they deserve, which is a fully funded well-rounded education,” Johnson said.
But, Mayor Johnson spent political capital on a tumultuous process that included an unsuccessful attempt at forcing Martinez out and the resignation of his handpicked school board. Both refused Johnson’s request to secure a short-term high-interest loan to pay for the contract and pensions. Teachers say their focus is on the classroom, not on how CPS affords the contract.
“Truthfully, I’m not, I’m not thinking about that right now. What I am thinking about is raising the floor for our students,” Kurzydlo said.
If it approves the proposals, the contract proposals will then be considered by CTU’s Executive Board.
From there, if the board approves the tentative agreement, it moves to the union’s House of Delegates for a potential vote this Wednesday.
CPS on Friday said it’s pleased with the progress, saying in part, “Our goal has always been to reach a fair contract resolution that recognizes the significant contributions of our educators while being mindful of our budgetary limitations and fiduciary responsibilities.”
CTU’s full membership would still be needed for an agreement to be final.
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