Page 6 - AT

A6 U.S. NEWS
Friday 18 OctOber 2019

School's out: Chicago teachers strike, 1st day deal unlikely

By KATHLEEN FOODY and roles.
DON BABWIN Breakfast and lunch will be
Associated Press served, but all after-school
CHICAGO (AP) — Striking activities and school buses
teachers marched in pick- are suspended.
et lines outside hundreds of Janice Jackson, the dis-
Chicago schools on Thurs- trict's CEO, encouraged
day after their union and parents to send their chil-
city officials failed to reach dren to the school that they
a contract deal in the na- normally attend, however
tion's third-largest school they will be welcome in
district, canceling classes any district schools.
for more than 300,000 stu- "We've put together a real-
dents for the duration of a ly comprehensive plan for
walkout that seemed likely the students," Jackson said.
to head into a second day. "We will make sure they are
The strike in the nation's safe and they have a pro-
third-largest school district ductive day."
came after the Chicago Samantha Williams, 24,
Teachers Union confirmed said it's "not good" that her
Wednesday night that its first-grade son is missing in-
25,000 members would struction time. Williams said
not return to their class- she understands teachers
rooms. It follows months of need more help but also
negotiations between the expressed frustration and
union and Chicago Pub- questioned the motives be-
lic Schools that failed to Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Stacy Davis Gates, center, other union officials and their hind the walkout. "I think it's
resolve disputes over pay supporters lead thousands of striking union members on a march through the Loop, Thursday, Oct. more about money. I don't
and benefits, class size and 17, 2019, in Chicago. think they had to go on
teacher preparation time. Associated Press strike."
Union vice president Stacy But Jamel Boyd, a 51-year
Davis Gates said the strike off the job and protest over to the side in a caucus," want the same thing edu- old-chef, shouted her sup-
will continue into Friday issues such as class size and she said. "If there is a seri- cators who have walked port to teachers as she
as a result of the impasse, student services, unions na- ousness of purpose and a off the job all across this dropped off her 10-year-
and the school district can- tionwide are today watch- willingness on the other side country want," said AFT old-son and 8-year-old
celled a second day of ing closely to see how par- we could get a deal done President Randi Weingar- daughter at Smyth Ele-
classes. ents respond to a walkout today." ten in a statement. "The mentary and accepts the
Picketing teachers said based on a "social justice" Sharkey spoke briefly af- resources to give their stu- teachers' explanation that
Thursday the walkout was agenda. ter early talks wrapped up dents what they need." the strike has less to do with
about getting more re- Chicago Teachers Union and said it's "highly unlikely" At Thomas Chalmers El- getting the city to spend
sources and smaller class President Jesse Sharkey a deal on all outstand- ementary School on the money on their salaries
sizes for students in the joined teachers picketing ing issues would be struck city's west side, about 25 than it does spending mon-
cash-strapped district, not outside Helen Peirce In- Thursday. Sharkey said the teachers cheered and ey on improving schools.
about putting more money ternational Studies school, district did provide some waved in response to cars "I am so with you all," she
in their pockets. where he said every kin- written language on class and trucks honking in sup- yelled.
Outside Smyth Elementary, dergarten class has at least sizes that the union was still port, taking short breaks to She said the city needs to
a predominantly black and 30 students. He said there's reviewing. replenish mugs full of hot spend more money on
low-income school on the "pent-up frustration" among "We don't just want a fast coffee. schools so CPS can provide
city's near South Side, art union members about con- deal," Sharkey said be- Maggie Sermont, a 32-year- nurses and social work-
teacher John Houlihan said ditions in the schools, and fore leading teachers on old special education ers, rather than investing in
"we're not fighting for pay- the union wants some of a march through the city's teacher, said Chalmers' other projects, such as the
checks and health care. It's those longstanding issues downtown streets. "We are teachers are concerned city's lakefront.
the kids." addressed in their next going to hold fast to a just that a nurse, social worker "Kids are coming with all
"It's ridiculous to say that contract. deal." and speech pathologist kinds of problems, anxiety,
you can put these kids who Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Bargainers were expected typically visit the school homelessness and these
are dealing with profound she was disappointed by to return Thursday after- just once a week. Kids may teachers need help, class-
poverty and profound the union's decision to noon. see those specialty staff in room support," said Boyd,
homelessness in classes of strike. Also striking are 7,000 sup- group sessions that further who told of the day her son
30-40 kids," said Houlihan, "We are offering a historic port staffers, whose union limit their one-on-one time, was rushed to a hospital by
who picketed with about package on the core issues also failed to reach a con- she said. ambulance because there
20 other teachers and staff — salary, staffing and class tract agreement. "It just feels like we're put- was no nurse at the school
as drivers passed by, honk- size," she said. But from the picket lines in ting a Band-Aid over a bul- that day who she believes
ing their horns. "That's not Lightfoot voiced frustration front of schools citywide to let hole," she said. would have quickly rec-
manageable and it is not about what she sees as Washington, D.C., home of During the 2012 strike, the ognized that the asthma
an environment for learn- the union's lack of urgency the American Federation district kept some schools attack staffers thought her
ing." to make a deal. "So, what of Teachers, the message open for half days during son was having was actu-
The strike is Chicago's first we need is for the union to was the same: The school a seven-day walkout. This ally a panic attack. "They
major walkout by teachers come back to the table district and the mayor are time, all buildings are stay- need to stop beautifying
since 2012. And just as that to bargain in good faith, not doing nearly enough ing open during school Lake Shore Drive and do
strike inspired unions in Los spend the time actually to improve the lives of stu- hours, staffed by principals something for these peo-
Angeles and other political- getting a deal done, face dents. and employees who usu- ple. Lake Shore Drive is
ly left-leaning cities to walk to face with us, and not off "Educators in Chicago ally work in administrative beautiful enough."q