Chicago Teachers Reach Contract Deal For The First Time In More Than A Decade Without A Strike

chicago teachers reach contract deal for the first time in more than a decade without a strike

For the first time in over a decade, Chicago's public school teachers have a new contract without a strike or threat of a walkout. The four-year agreement includes pay hikes, hiring more teachers and class size limits.

While negotiations between the Chicago Teachers Union and the district didn't escalate this time, there was unprecedented turmoil surrounding the unusual yearlong talks. The drama included the school superintendent's firing, the entire board resigning and historic elections that tested the union's power.

Now, Chicago faces uncertainty with Trump administration education cuts and looming questions about how the nation's fourth-largest school district will pay for the contract.

The turmoil

While all parties are celebrating the agreement now, there's been no shortage of turbulence.