Last month, the Chicago Teachers Union threatened to go on strike on October 10th if its negotiations were not met. As the planned strike date approached, students and teachers alike were unsure just exactly what was going to happen on the negotiations table.

At midnight October 9th, it was announced that the CTU would not go on strike. A tentative agreement, which is not a permanent contract, was reached among the CTU and the Chicago Board of Education.

The tentative agreement states an increase in raises for teachers as well as a pension pick up. The agreement also states that case management responsibilities will be removed from counselors to allow more hands on counseling with students as well other plans to improve classroom productivity.

The CTU will have a democratic vote among the teachers on whether or not they will ratify this tentative agreement as an actual contract. The Chicago Board of Education will also vote on whether or not the tentative agreement will be ratified. Both parties must reach an equal ground with the contract in order for it to be implemented, however, they both seem to have separate agendas concerning the contract.

The situation is very delicate as either party can refuse to ratify the agreement and send each other back to the drawing board. Both parties have different financial agendas regarding the agreement. But for now, it seems there is no sight of a strike happening soon.

– Rafael Villa