Day Two: CPS teachers strike

Chicago teachers will be back on the picket lines as the union and Chicago Public Schools still haven't come to an agreement.

This comes after the union's House of Delegates rejected the latest contract saying all their demands weren't met.

CPS CEO Janice Jackson says she doesn't agree with how the union is pressing for things like affordable housing in the contract, but assured parents there's a plan.

In that same meeting Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she's proud of the progress they've made  and will continue to focus on negotiations.

One thing Lightfoot made clear is that the CTU contract demands could cost $2.5 billion,  money CPS doesn't have.

Lightfoot says the city and CPS are providing the union the best deal ever that’s both fair to teachers and taxpayers.

That contract included a 16 percent increase in salary over five years.

But, the CTU wants more than just money. They want to improve the learning and teaching conditions in all CPS buildings.

Although Lightfoot says she values teachers, she disagrees on some of their demands: like cutting back on instructional time.

10/18/19 10:51AM