Education
CPS, CTU to Hold First-Ever Contract Negotiation Session Open to the Public Friday
(WTTW News)
Chicago Public Schools parents, students and community stakeholders will be able to participate in the first ever round of public bargaining between the district and Chicago Teachers Union later this week.
The CTU announced the sides have agreed to schedule an open contract bargaining session Friday from 5-7 p.m. at Marquette Elementary School, 6550 S. Richmond St., in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood.
According to the union, this session will be focused on “Healthy, Safe, Green Schools” and how schools can be updated to support student learning.
“The average age of a CPS school building is 84 years old, twice the national average,” the CTU said on its website. “There are ventilation problems, lead pipes and outdated HVAC systems. We have a historic opportunity to modernize our schools for our students and educators.”
Bargaining officially began in April as the sides work toward a new labor contract — the first since former CTU organizer and educator Brandon Johnson was elected mayor. The union’s existing agreement is set to expire at the end of June.
CTU President Stacy Davis Gates previously expressed a desire to include the public in the union’s negotiations with CPS, saying last month they were intent on “showing our work” in this round of negotiations.
Anyone interested in attending Friday’s bargaining session can RSVP on the CTU’s website.
Contact Matt Masterson: @ByMattMasterson | [email protected] | (773) 509-5431
