The head of the Chicago Teachers Union announced steps forward in the union’s contract negotiations, despite a judge ordering a temporary restraining order in favor of Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez against the school board on Tuesday.
“We remain very close to a historic deal with CPS. Today, we made considerable headway by lowering class sizes, growing the number of libraries and librarians, and expanding sports and art programs for the city’s public schools,” said a statement from CTU leaders.
“Since the beginning of the collective bargaining process, we have been laser-focused on ensuring that our students and their families have a high-quality school day that meets their social, emotional and academic needs,” said the statement in part.
Earlier in the day, a judge granted Martinez a temporary restraining order against members of the Chicago Board of Education, who had voted last Friday to fire him without cause. The order bars board members from interfering with CTU contract negotiations or diminishing Martinez’s authority.
Martinez’s attorney, William Quinlan, explained the ruling: “The board cannot obstruct Mr. Martinez’s job duties, interfere with negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union, diminish his role, or instruct his staff.”
The court clash stems from tension between Martinez and Mayor Brandon Johnson over a loan Martinez refused to approve to fund the teachers’ contract. The union criticized Martinez’s legal move, calling it a “dangerous new precedent” and accusing him of misunderstanding his responsibilities.
Despite the friction, CTU President Stacy Davis Gates remains optimistic about continuing negotiations. She plans to meet with Martinez and his bargaining team on Thursday.
“Since now, the courts have decided that Pedro is in charge, we’ll be here on Thursday at 10 a.m. with his bargaining team,” she said to ABC 7 Chicago. “If that progress stops, the only person we have to look at is Pedro Martinez.”
The temporary order remains in effect until at least Jan. 9, six days before elected school board members are sworn in. Meanwhile, another motion filed Tuesday flagged an ethics concern: CPS’s chief talent officer questioned Johnson’s status on CTU leave from his CPS position.
ABC 7 Chicago contributed to this report.
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