Chicago teachers rally for new contract, pay raise

Thousands of Chicago Public Schools teachers rallied Wednesday to protest the progress being made in contract talks with the school district.

Members of the Chicago Teachers Union chanted, cheered and jeered during a rally in a Loop theater and a separate gathering on the street outside. Union leaders used the rally to energize members in opposition to a contract proposal they describe as an “insult.”

Union financial secretary Kristine Mayle told the teachers the school district want to do education on the cheap, adding they would turn teaching “into a low-wage, high-turnover job” if they had their way.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Wednesday teachers deserve a pay raise. He added negotiators are working with an independent arbitrator to accomplish both a raise and the avoidance of a strike.