Resolve of rank and file members to continue teaching and working remotely until CPS and Union land agreement moves CPS, mayor to continue bargaining rather than forcing mass lock-out.
CHICAGO—Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey issued the following statement today in wake of news that the CTU and CPS will continue bargaining Tuesday and Wednesday, and that management will hold off on threats to lock out tens of thousands of educators before the Union and management have landed an agreement to safely return to school communities.
“The mayor and CPS have announced a two-day “cooling off period” and said they’ll continue bargaining Tuesday and Wednesday, as our members continue to teach and work remotely. We continue to teach remotely because of our members’ unity, their commitment to their school communities, and their fearless solidarity.”
“Our members’ resolve on the ground allowed us to make real progress at the bargaining table today on a number of the most difficult issues of this negotiation.
“None of this is easy. The uncertainty and risk our educators, our students and our families confront all take a toll. And all of the progress we’ve made to date in winning real gains at the table is possible because of the tireless work and dedication of our rank and file members, our delegates, our parents, our allies, and ordinary Chicagoans who trust us to do what’s right by our schoolchildren.
“We don’t want a lock-out. We want to keep working remotely as we bargain an agreement to return to our classrooms safely. And we’re one step closer to that goal today, because management has agreed to stay at the table rather than escalating conflict or locking out educators.
“Parents, the public and the press all know that we are willing to keep teaching AND keep negotiating. This move to resolve our differences at the table, at least for the next two days, ensures that our rank and file members can continue to educate the overwhelming majority of Black and Latinx students who continue to choose remote learning while we work on landing an agreement to return to our classrooms and our school communities SAFELY.
“Our rank and file educators are setting an example for every school community in the nation that shows the power of unity, solidarity, courage, resolve, and our commitment to the greater good.”
