By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
Thursday, Oct. 11
     CHICAGO — The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has voted 79 percent in favor of accepting a new three-year contract two weeks after the seven-day long strike ended.
     The contract, voted on by 20,765 CTU members, gives teachers a 17.6 percent average pay raise over four years if the contract is extended an additional year. The ratification also officially ends the strike, which was merely suspended by delegates Sept. 18.
“This shows overwhelming recognition by our members that this contract represents a victory for students, communities and our profession,” said CTU president Karen Lewis. “Our members are coming out of this with an even greater appreciation for the continued fight for public education. We thank our parents for standing with their children’s teachers, paraprofessionals and clinicians.”
     The Chicago Board of Education (CBE) also must approve the contract later this month before it becomes effective, with approval being likely.
     “I am pleased that the members of the CTU have ratified this contract, and we can now demonstrate to our students that even when two sides start far apart, they can find common ground and reach a resolution. It’s an incredibly important message to send,” CBE President David Vitale said in a statement.
     In addition to the salary increase, the deal establishes a new evaluation system for teachers that is based partly on student performance on standardized tests. Principals also will now have more authority to hire teachers for their schools.
The district has said the pay increases could cost up to an extra $74 million a year, a burden that could put strain on the already cash strapped Chicago Public Schools (CPS).
     As of August, when the district passed this year’s budget, CPS spent cash reserves to stem a budget shortfall. The district also faces a nearly $1 billion deficit next year with back pension payments due. Because of that deficit, two bond rating services, Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service, have downgraded CPS’ debt. This could mean higher interest rates in the future.
CPS teachers right now make an average of about $76,000 per year. There is no word yet on how the district will pay for the new agreement.

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.