Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey (center, right) and Vice President Stacy Davis Gates (center, left) march with members of the CTU and SEIU Local 73 through the Loop after a rally, three days before the unions could walk off the job on strike, Monday afternoon, Oct. 14, 2019. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
CHICAGO (AP) — Teachers say they’re pleased and relieved to be going back to work after their union and the city reached an agreement to settle an 11-day strike.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Thursday announced a contract agreement that will re-open schools Friday.
Teachers say they are satisfied with mayor’s decision to allow five days to make up for time lost to the strike.
Fifty-year-old high school physical education teacher Lloyd Jimenez says he thinks the city made a greater concession than he expected.
He says the settlement comes as a huge relief. He had feared he might lose his health benefits and jeopardize a kidney transplant his wife needs.
Elementary school science teacher Hillary Remis says she believes both sides compromised but the deal can only benefit students.
