CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago teachers strike continues for a fifth day Monday, with all CPS classes canceled.þþCPS and the Chicago Teachers Union met all weekend and negotiators for both sides they made progress on a contract, but it's not enough.þþRELATED: Chicago Teachers Strike 2019: Where to find childcare when schools are closedþþUnion leaders said they've seen ÿconsiderable movementÿ on issues such as class sizes and staffing. They reached a tentative agreement Sunday for specific staff positions to support students who qualify as homeless.þþBut sticking points in negotiations remain over a number of issues, including hiring of support staff and the length of the contract.þþÿWe want to settle as quickly as possible, but we're not going to settle for a fast contract if it is not a just contract,ÿ said Jennifer Johnson with the Chicago Teachers Union.þþThe Chicago Teachers Union will return to the picket lines outside schools beginning this morning at 6:30 a.m. It's unclear how quickly the teachers could go back to work once a deal is reached.þþCPS tweeted classes and after school activities are canceled Monday. School buildings will be open for students who need a safe place to stay during the day.þþRELATED: Teachers Strike Chicago: Nearly half surveyed in ABC7/Sun-Times poll support strikeþþTwenty-six thousand CPS teachers and 8,000 support staff workers including custodians, special education assistants and bus aides are on strike. It is the first CPS teacher strike since 2012.þþTeachers are expected to hold a rally and march starting at 2 p.m. Monday at Union Park.þþThe threat of the Illinois High School Association kicking nearly 100 CPS schools out of Tuesday's Class 2A and 3A state playoffs looms.þþCPS high school student athletes gathered Sunday at Whitney Young High School's the Michelle Obama Sports Complex to express their concern that their seasons will end prematurely due to the strike.þþStudents like Whitney Young High School senior Esme McCarthy said they've been looking forward to this year's season.þþÿWe have 14 seniors on our team. We see this as an opportunity to finally, hopefully win something in state, and we want to be given that chance to compete for a regional title,ÿ McCarthy said.þJoe Trost, the founder of Pepsico Showdown, said IHSA has an opportunity to be a hero for thousands of student-athletes and give them a chance to compete.þþÿYou're impacting families, you're impacting life long memories, and you're impacting opportunities to be seen by college scouts,ÿ Trost said. ÿThere's a massive impact. It's not just a game, it's an impact on the game of life.ÿþþAccording to the IHSA strike policy, ÿIf a school is on strike and not in legal session, as defined by the State Board of Education, on the date of the beginning competition in any IHSA state series, students from that school may not participate in the state series. However, when students from any member school first participate in the beginning level of competition in a given state series that state series is considered to have begun for all entered schools.ÿþþThe IHSA is expected to announce a decision Monday afternoon.þ
Source: abc7chicago.com
