Teachers in Chicago eye strike in pay dispute

CHICAGO — Angry that one promised raise disappeared and that they’re being asked to work longer days without what they consider an adequate pay increase, Chicago teachers are considering authorizing their first strike in a quarter- century.

In a signal of their mounting anger, teachers voted last week — before a summer of negotiations and a recommendation from an independent fact-finder — on a strike that wouldn’t happen until the next school year starts.

If they do authorize a strike, teachers in the nation’s third-largest school district would be leaving the final decision in the hands of union leaders.

“This is a reflection of the treatment we as teachers have been subjected to this year ... that the posturing of the board of education has created such misery and suffering and discontent that we needed to send a message,” said David Rose, a teacher at Roberto Clemente Community Academy.

The frustration centers around Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who rescinded a 4 percent raise last year and then began pushing for a longer school day. Teachers say the mayor — and now the district — have not offered them enough money to make up for the added time.

Chicago Public Schools has proposed a five -year deal that guarantees teachers a 2 percent pay raise in the first year and lengthens the school day by 10 percent. The union wants a two -year deal that reduces class size and calls for teachers to receive a 24 percent pay raise in the first year and a 5 percent pay raise in the second year.

Under a new Illinois law, at least 75 percent of the district’s 25,500 teachers would have to vote in favor of a strike authorization. But Rose and several other teachers said that amid the acrimony, they’re not worried about the union reaching that threshold. The union is expected to release results next week.

“I think it’s going to be in the 90s because we are very angry,” said Zulma Ortiz, a teacher at John F. Kennedy High School on the city’s southwest side.