Education
City Colleges Staff Announce Oct. 19 Strike Date as Contract Negotiations Continue
Cook County College Teachers Union Local 1600 members picket outside Harold Washington College on Oct. 2, 2026. (WTTW News)
The union representing nearly 1,500 City Colleges of Chicago faculty and professional staff have announced their plans to go on strike later this month if they cannot reach a contract agreement.
Cook County College Teachers Union Local 1600 announced Thursday they will begin their strike Oct. 19, days after 96% of its voting members said they were in favor of a work stoppage.
“That is not a small group of frustrated people,” Cook County College Teachers Union Local 1600 President Tony Johnston said at a press conference Thursday. “That is a workforce speaking with one voice.”
A City Colleges spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.
CCCTU officials said they have been bargaining with City Colleges leaders since February before contracts for both faculty and professionals expired in mid July.
As part of its contract demands, the union is seeking improved wages, reduced class sizes, artificial intelligence protections, affordable health insurance and free developmental education for students.
According to the Illinois Federation of Teachers, which is affiliated with the CCCTU, contract negotiations continue with a federal mediator, but the two sides remain far apart. The union said it’s calling on the Board of Trustees and Chancellor Juan Salgado to return to the table with a serious offer before the strike begins.
“We need to remind management and these board members that their mission and vision statement says that they deliver a quality and accessible education, and they can only do that if they give a fair contract now,” Cook County Board Commissioner Jessica Vásquez said.
