Chicago teachers have narrowly voted to accept a 4-year contract with annual 4 percent raises, averting a threatened strike.þþThe vote was 15,104 in favor of accepting a tentative agreement with the Chicago Board of Education, and 12,599 against, according to Gail Purkey, a spokeswoman for the Chicago Teachers Union.þþOnly 2,505 votes separated those voting for and against the pact.þþThe outcome, revealed about 2:30 a.m. today, was a relief for anxious parents and educators who feared the city would have its first teacher walkout in 16 years on Dec. 4.þþRehak attributed the sharply divided vote totals to a letter that was recently distributed to union members that contained ``last minute misinformation regarding our pension fund.''þþUnion President Deborah Lynch said the close vote also was because of confusion over health benefits and ``concerns about the treatment and conditions of the education professionals in this city.þþ``Our members have legitimate concerns about their salary and benefits, legitimate concerns about retention of good teachers in Chicago,'' she said.þþThe new contract includes 4 percent base annual raises and improved health benefits for teachers. It was the second contract proposal drafted by negotiators.þþThe teachers rejected a five-year agreement last month that also included a 4 percent raise.
Source: Chicago Tribune
