A walkout by City Colleges of Chicago teachers and faculty has been averted just days before a planned strike.
The City Colleges of Chicago Teachers Union Local 1600 called off a Nov. 2 walkout after tentatively reaching an agreement with administration on a four-year contract late Sunday. Classes will proceed this week as scheduled.
"We're so happy to announce that our union bargaining team was able to secure a tentative agreement last night and avert a strike," CCCTU President Tony Johnston said in a statement. "We'll be sharing details of the agreement with our members in the days ahead, and we're confident they'll agree that we've secured the additional supports we have been fighting for on behalf of Chicago's most marginalized students and communities."
According to the union — which represents 1,500 faculty and professionals within the City Colleges — the new contract includes salary increases, smaller class sizes, and a plan to assess student and community needs and to provide wraparound services through the union's City Colleges for the Common Good initiative.
The union’s previous contract expired in July, but negotiations between the two sides have been ongoing for more than a year.
According to the union, members will vote on the agreement in the coming weeks.
“We are pleased to announce that City Colleges and Cook County Teachers Union Local 1600 have reached a tentative agreement, which ensures our students receive a high-quality educational experience and recognizes the hard work of our faculty and staff,” City Colleges of Chicago spokesperson Veronica Resa said in an emailed statement.
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