Chicago Teachers Union delegates voted overwhelmingly Thursday afternoon in favor of a one-year school board contract that promises smaller class sizes, pay hikes and a chance for teachers to rest easy for the rest of summer, confident they won`t have to strike come fall.
The meeting, held in the sweltering auditorium of the Plumbers Chicago Journeymen Local Union 130 Hall, 1340 W. Washington Blvd, lasted about an hour and ended with roaring cheers, a few high fives and seemingly endless praise for what many attendees called a landmark proposal.
The contract, which was announced Wednesday night, will be voted on by the CTU`s entire membership in September.
”This is the first time in the nearly 50 years of union history that we`ve been treated with respect,” said Carolyn Del Gatto, a special education teacher at Michele Clark Middle School, on the West Side. ”It`s about time.” Joy Panko, who teaches special education at Bell Elementary School, on the North Side, said: ”This has given us back our sense of professionalism. It makes you say, `Oh, thank God.` ”
”I`m still numb. I just can`t believe it,” said Norma Johnsen, who teaches computer lab at Overton Elementary School, on the South Side. ”I`ve still got my strike gear out-the picket signs and my good walking shoes. I still can`t believe I won`t need them.”
After the delegates` meeting, CTU president Jacqueline Vaughn said that, with the contract settled, teachers would be ”giving up the grief of having to plan for work stoppage and the distrust they`ve had after being done in by the board year after year.”
