The Chicago Teachers Union says it has rejected a contract proposal because it does not address school conditions, lack of services to some students and the long-term fiscal crisis that the nation's third-largest school district faces.
CTU said in a news release yesterday that it rejected what it called last week a “serious offer.''
According to the union, the offer would have required teachers to pick up their pension costs and increase contributions to their health care coverage.
Negotiations have been ongoing for more than a year, and members of the union have already authorized a strike if necessary.
During the last round of contract negotiations, teachers walked out for seven days in September 2012.
Schools CEO Forest Claypool said in a statement that district officials are disappointed.