Chicago: tens of thousands of teachers strike for better conditions

Since Thursday, around 25,000 teachers in Chicago are taking to the streets for higher salaries, more staff and smaller classes. Public school officials in the city said that the classroom and all afternoon events for 300,000 students were canceled until further notice.

Take a look at this beautiful sight: two marches merging at 54th and Dorchester! # CTULocal1 @ SEIU73 #CTUSEIUstrike #PutItInWriting #faircontractnow pic.twitter.com/uL6Yr6PQzQ

The Chicago Teachers Union teachers' union had called for the strikes after city and union failed to agree on salaries and measures against staff shortages and overcrowded schools in previous negotiations.

Among other things, the union demands that every public school in Chicago be equipped with a librarian and a full-time social worker. At the same time, the social conditions of students and their families should also improve, for example in terms of affordable housing.

Jesse Sharkey, union president, said at an event that the current proposals and measures of the Chicago government were insufficient. "If there is no willingness at the top of this city to really make a difference, there probably will not be a quick end to the strike," Sharkey said.

Meanwhile, mayor Lori Lightfoot called on teachers to teach again while the government negotiated with the union: "Enough is enough, there's no other excuse to keep the kids out of school."

The city had written suggestions for more staff and better pay. However, the teachers' union would also urgently need to agree quickly, said Lightfoot at an event. On Twitter, she expressed similar.

We must fix that immediately and end this strike. CTU identified, and written proposals to boost staffing and support have been exchanged.

Again, this is out of the union's reach: "We can not trust the Chicago schools to treat students properly if we return home without a contract," the Chicago Teachers Union said on Twitter.

It took a strike to get the district to agree to FOLLOW STATE LAW regarding pre-K staffing ratios. CPS is under state oversight for special editions. That's just two reasons why we're out here. We can not trust them to do right by students if we go back without a contract.

Although lessons are canceled, schools are still open so students can at least eat and dine there.

Seven years ago, a teacher strike had paralyzed schools in Chicago. At that time, more than 350,000 students and kindergartners could not go to school for over a week.