Chicago mayor asks court to order teachers to class
CHICAGO — Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s appeal to the courts to end a six-day Chicago teachers strike set off a new round of recriminations Monday but did not appear to be leading to a quick resolution of the walkout that has left parents hunting for options for 350,000 students.
City attorneys asked a Cook County Circuit Court judge for an injunction Monday morning that would force teachers back into the classroom and end an acrimonious standoff with the nation’s thirdlargest school district.
The suit claims that the strike violates state law because it threatens the safety of children and is based on issues other than pay and benefits.
But Judge Peter Flynn did not grant the city an immediate hearing, instead scheduling one for Wednesday morning, said Sarah Hamilton, Emanuel’s spokeswoman.
Union officials condemned Emanuel’s legal move as an act of vindictiveness by a “bullying” mayor.
In a statement, a union official said the filing appeared to be “a vindictive act” given that the union’s delegates are scheduled to vote on the contract provisions on Tuesday.
Emanuel’s request argues that the labor action is illegal because state law bars the union from striking on anything but economic issues, and that the work stoppage is focused instead on such issues as evaluations, layoffs and recall rights.
The 700-page filing also contends the strike is a threat to health and safety because more than 80 percent of 350,000 public students rely on school meals for their basic nutrition.
The union and school leaders had appeared headed toward a resolution at the end of last week, saying they were optimistic that students in the district would be back in class by Monday.
But teachers uncomfortable with a tentative contract offer decided Sunday to remain on strike, saying they needed more time to review a complicated proposal.