Chicago Teachers Union has votes for strike
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Teachers Union received enough votes last week to authorize a strike but hasn't determined if a walk-out will be needed.
A spokeswoman for the union on Monday said the vote that began last Wednesday "well surpassed" the 75 percent approval required by state law. Union leaders say the authorization vote gives teachers the legal authority to call a strike in the fall and gives them added leverage at the bargaining table. The CTU has scheduled a news conference Monday afternoon to discuss the vote.
Officials with Chicago Public Schools have called the vote premature. CEO Jean-Claude Brizard has questioned why the vote was held before the district has made its final offer and before the recommendation by an independent fact-finder.
