Chicago teachers lift strike

After a week of striking, Chicago teachers voted to return to school on Wednesday. “I can’t even imagine the people who could have possibly even lost their jobs over having to stay home with their kids because they have no alternate care. It just put everyone in a pickle,” said one parent. Around 350,000 students were without schooling, with many parents having to get off work to take care of their children. The strike raised major issues about union rights and what it will take to change the education system as a whole.

Chicago teachers average $76,000 a year before the new contract. Some major issues included the longer school day, and what was needed to combat lower test scores and high dropout rates. “This is an exciting day for the city of Chicago,” Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel said, “I’m excited that the kids are back doing the most important thing, learning in the classroom.” The proposed deal still has the pass to teacher union, but it is expected to be accepted by the end of this week.