The Chicago Teachers Union kicks off another three days of strike authorization voting Wednesday amid chatter that teachers could soon set a specific timetable for the second strike of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s tenure.þþFor those of you just tuning in: School district and union officials are deep into a Russian-novel-length battle over a new CTU contract. Union members raised the stakes of the game a bit during the last school year by voting to authorize a strike, though an open-ended walkout was never called.þþCTU leaders say they’re taking that step again this week, partly to offset a potential legal challenge. An affirmative vote is pretty much expected at this point -- back in December, the CTU said 88 percent of 24,752 eligible members agreed to authorize a strike.þþOn Tuesday, the union asked schools to complete voting by the end of Wednesday, though schools that “do not have 100 percent of staff voting” Wednesday can continue to run the vote into Thursday or Friday if necessary.þþIn addition to school buildings, union members can vote at CTU’s Merchandise Mart headquarters, or look for a CTU-marked car collecting voting materials in the parking lot of about a dozen schools after classes this week.þþInstead of balloting members, the union has said it will take this vote by having its delegates gather petition signatures. There’s no real requirement as to how the vote is carried out, but state law that governs Chicago teacher contract talks says at least 75 percent of union members need to sign off to authorize a strike.þþþThat same law says teachers have to provide “at least 10 days” notice to Chicago Public Schools and state officials before walking off the job. So, as of right now, it’s not entirely clear when the union would strike if it elects to do so. Union leaders are expected to convene to determine the CTU’s next steps after the results are in.þþAside from that, there aren’t many details on this week’s vote. A union spokeswoman hasn’t responded to requests for comment on how the process would work. Emanuel’s representatives and union negotiators are scheduled to sit at the bargaining table Wednesday.þ
Source: Chicago Tribune
