CPS to Offer Chicago Teachers Raises up to 5% in Each of the Next Four Years

Significant Proposal in Negotiations over the Chicago Teachers Union Contract

In a major step forward in negotiations over the Chicago Teachers Union contract, Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez announced that he plans to offer the union a significant proposal for teacher raises.

The Proposal

The proposal includes annual raises between 4% and 5%, with a letter to members describing it as a “better initial financial offer than what we’ve received in previous contract cycles over the last 15 years.”

Context and Background

The union had been waiting on this proposal, which a source in the mayor’s office said it had greenlighted weeks ago. The CTU also revealed it had received “50 pages of substantive counter-proposals.” However, the union notes that this proposal is just the beginning of the process and that the district has not responded to 75% of the union’s proposals.

Union’s Reaction

The CTU calls the proposal a “serious financial proposal” and argues that it only happened after it was revealed that the mayor’s office was making moves to push out CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. The union has been criticizing Martinez and his team for asserting that the district has no money to pay for the school investments they want.

Principals’ Support for Martinez

To try to bolster Martinez at this critical moment, nearly 400 principals and assistant principals, representing about half of all district-run schools, signed a letter supporting him, urging the Chicago Board of Education to keep Martinez on as CEO.

Budget Concerns and Priorities

The mayor and CTU want continued investments in schools, saying the district cannot go backward. However, Martinez and his team have been pushing back on some of the demands from the mayor’s office and the CTU, saying they want investment too but the district needs to be fiscally responsible.

Details of the Proposal

At a regularly scheduled bargaining session on Friday, Martinez plans to offer union members 4% raises in 2025 and between 4% and 5% raises in each of the next three years, depending on inflation, according to a statement from CPS. The district plans to expand health care and dental coverage without increasing costs for employees.

Current Average Salary

The district says the current average salary for teachers is $94,300.

Principals’ Association Response

A group of principals who signed the letter supporting Martinez stressed the need for stability and praised Martinez and his team for “cultivating an inclusive and collaborative culture.” However, the leader of the Chicago Principals & Administrators Association, Troy LaRaviere, argued that Martinez needs to do more for principals as they try to bargain their first contract.

Conclusion

The proposal for teacher raises is a significant step forward in negotiations over the Chicago Teachers Union contract. While there are still many issues to be resolved, this development offers a glimmer of hope for teachers and school administrators alike. It remains to be seen whether this proposal will be enough to satisfy the union’s demands and whether the district can find a way to balance its budget while still investing in its schools.

FAQs

What is the proposal for teacher raises?
The proposal includes annual raises between 4% and 5% for the next four years, with the possibility of inflation-adjusted raises in the later years.

What is the current average salary for teachers?
The district says the current average salary for teachers is $94,300.

What is the reaction of the Chicago Teachers Union?
The union is welcoming the proposal as a “serious financial proposal” but notes that it is just the beginning of the process and that the district has not responded to 75% of the union’s proposals.

What is the reaction of the Chicago Principals & Administrators Association?
The association’s leader, Troy LaRaviere, argues that Martinez needs to do more for principals as they try to bargain their first contract and that the district needs to show greater support for school administrators.