Chicago teachers to go on strike on Oct. 17 if no deal is reached

Oct 2 (Reuters) - Chicago teachers will go on strike against the third-largest U.S. public school district on Oct. 17, if their protracted labor negotiations with the city does not result in a new contract, the teachers' union said on Wednesday.

The Chicago Teachers Union announced a "unified strike date" with the labor group that represents Chicago Park District workers and the union representing school security guards, janitors and special education aides, which will also go on strike on Oct. 17.

"We are trying to seek a negotiated settlement and we are going to keep trying to do that without a strike. The strike will be the last resort," said Jesse Sharkey, the Chicago Teachers Union President, during an event announcing the strike date. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)