Chicago Teacher Strike Ends

By Scott Sarvay

September 10, 2012 Updated Sep 19, 2012 at 12:42 PM EDT

Chicago (Indiana’s NewsCenter) - The Chicago teacher strike is over and, some 350,000 students in the nation's largest school district are back in class.

After more than a week on the picket lines, teachers agreed to a new contract proposal from the city, with some compromises.

Students were out of class for more than a week.

The teachers union made the announcement late Tuesday and the formality of a teacher vote, is taking place Wednesday and is expected to pass.

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After a week it looked like they might be returning to the classroom but instead teachers are returning to the picket lines.

They chose to extend their work-stoppage in order to better understand a proposed new contract.

Early reports on Friday had the two sides coming to a temporary agreement.

On Sunday, the teachers expressed a need for more time.

Right now the proposed contract reads:

Cost of living increases, 30-percent of a teacher's evaluation based on test scores and a new set of rights for teachers to appeal their rating.

According to union leadership, the strike will continue-on until at least Tuesday.

Chicago Teacher Union President, Karen Lewis says, “On Tuesday we will be coming back to determine whether or not they are going to suspend the strike...at this moment they don't feel that way."

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is calling on the city's attorneys to pursue a court order forcing the teachers back into the classroom, calling the delay wrong for Chicago's children.

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Another day off for students in Chicago as thousands of teachers continuing to walk the picket line.

Talks failed to reach a contract agreement at the eleventh hour.

This is the first time in 25-years that Chicago teachers have walked off the job.

More than 400,000 students are affected by the strike and are "not" in class.

Nearly 150 schools did open for half the day on Monday to provide activities, as well as breakfast and lunch in a district where more than 80-percent of the students rely on it.

The main issue teachers are fighting is a new evaluation system that would use standardized test scores as a barometer of their job performance.

Other issues include compensation, job security, and benefits.

Chicago Mayor, Rham Emanuel is asking for major changes for teachers, including "wage cuts."




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