Daley Hints at Concessions for Teachers Union
August 12, 2009
Associated Press
Mayor Richard Daley is hinting Chicago Public Schools teachers may have to forgo a scheduled pay raise to help balance the district's budget.
Chicago teachers are due for a four percent pay bump next year, thanks to their union contract.
But Chicago Public Schools released a dismal budget estimate Tuesday, complete with a $900 million deficit for next year.
To help close the gap, Daley says "everybody has to chip in."
DALEY: No one is an exception to anything on this issue. And I think Ron Huberman and Michael Scott understand that. This is a very, very difficult recession.
Earlier this year, Daley negotiated $24 million in union give-backs to help ease the city's own projected shortfall.
But public schools chief Ron Huberman says he'll deal with skyrocketing pension costs before he thinks about re-opening the teachers' contract.
Chicago teachers are due for a four percent pay bump next year, thanks to their union contract.
But Chicago Public Schools released a dismal budget estimate Tuesday, complete with a $900 million deficit for next year.
To help close the gap, Daley says "everybody has to chip in."
DALEY: No one is an exception to anything on this issue. And I think Ron Huberman and Michael Scott understand that. This is a very, very difficult recession.
Earlier this year, Daley negotiated $24 million in union give-backs to help ease the city's own projected shortfall.
But public schools chief Ron Huberman says he'll deal with skyrocketing pension costs before he thinks about re-opening the teachers' contract.
