CPS CEO says contract talks with the teachers union have not stalled: ‘In fact, it’s just the opposite’

Chicago schools chief Pedro Martinez pushes back against union’s claim of stalled negotiations

Chicago schools chief Pedro Martinez pushed back Friday against the teachers union’s claim that contract negotiations have stalled in the two weeks since he was fired. “The urgency has never been higher,” Martinez said, who, due to a provision in his contract, will stay at the helm of the school district for six months. “There is no evidence at all (that progress has stalled). In fact, it’s just the opposite.”

Union claims talks have stalled, but Martinez disagrees

The back and forth Friday underscored the highly unusual situation the district is in as it tries to settle a contract with the union and avoid a strike. Just days after Martinez was terminated, some school board members showed up at contract negotiations, hoping to move forward on making a contract deal. But Martinez said they shouldn’t attend without his permission as CEO, and a court granted a temporary restraining order, preventing them from attending.

Union president calls Martinez the “supreme being”

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates has since started calling Martinez the “supreme being” and said she is frustrated that seemingly one person holds the keys to getting a contract deal. “I think the greatest threat to our bargaining momentum is, quite frankly, the supreme being of the Chicago Public Schools that’s basically in control of everything,” she said at a news conference Friday.

Conflict over contract demands

A big part of the conflict between Martinez and Mayor Brandon Johnson — who appointed the board members who fired Martinez — is over Martinez’s insistence that the school district can’t afford many of the CTU’s contract demands. Again on Friday, Martinez repeated that the school district must be fiscally responsible as it works to land a “fair” contract. He said the school district is facing a $500 million budget deficit next year.

Union offers concessions, but Martinez remains firm

Still, Martinez said the school district has offered teachers and staff 16% raises over four years, which is better than past deals, and even agreed to some of the staffing increases demanded by the union. Martinez has not said how he expects the school district to pay for the current offers. He said the new partly elected school board, which will be sworn in this month, will have to amend the budget. The union is nervous that Martinez is planning layoffs or furloughs to balance the budget.

Union brings up strike possibility

Davis Gates stressed on Friday that the union has made numerous compromises and offered a phased-in approach to many of the staffing demands as it tries to land a deal. At two news conferences this week, she has brought up the prospect of a strike. Davis Gates said she had not thought a strike was on the table with CTU ally Johnson serving as mayor, but now she is accusing Martinez of wanting a “confrontation with the union, rather than collaboration and compromise.”

Factfinding process may be restarted

The union initiated this summer the legal process that it needs to undertake before a strike, but paused hearings before an independent factfinder – one step in the process – as it pushed to get a contract deal by Christmas. Union officials were not clear Friday if they will unpause it due to recent developments. Still, even if factfinding were restarted, it would be at least two months before a strike can be called, so that the legal process can play out.

Conclusion

While the contract negotiations between the Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union remain ongoing, the disagreement over the pace of progress continues. As the two sides navigate the complex issues at hand, it remains to be seen whether a deal can be reached or if a strike will become a reality.

FAQs

* What is the current state of contract negotiations between the Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union?
+ The negotiations are ongoing, with some progress made, but the two sides disagree on the pace of progress.
* Will the contract be settled by Christmas?
+ The union had initially pushed to get a deal by Christmas, but recent developments may have delayed this goal.
* What is the current budget situation for the Chicago Public Schools?
+ The district is facing a $500 million budget deficit next year.
* Is a strike imminent?
+ While the union has brought up the prospect of a strike, it is unclear whether one will occur. The factfinding process may be restarted, which could delay a strike by at least two months.