Chicago Teachers Union Decides Against Another Strike

Chicago Teachers Union holds off on another strike. Teachers have been working without a contract for more than a year--negotiations continue.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Teachers Union has decided against striking over the lack of a contract, for now.

The union’s House of Delegates met Wednesday and did not take a vote on a strike or set a strike date. Union officials have indicated teachers could wait until fall to strike. Union Vice President Jesse Sharkey said there’s concern over losing health insurance and end-of-the-year pay checks.

Chicago teachers have been working without a contract for nearly a year. An independent fact-finder declared last month the Chicago Public Schools’ most recent contract offer was fair. It would phase out a 7 percent pension benefit the district paid for teachers and include raises over four years. The union rejected the findings.

Chicago Public Schools Chief Education Officer Janice Jackson says negotiations continue.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press

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