What Are The Main Sticking Points Between CPS, Teachers?
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The teacher strike threat looming in Chicago is a massive difference of opinion. So what's the truth and what's the real sticking point?
CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker went looking for answers.
In the hands of professor Bob Bruno, an expert in labor relations, the 50 page proposed contract that could have ended the labor dispute between the Chicago Teachers Union and the Chicago School Board. Teachers rejected it, but Bruno sees gains for both sides.
"The biggest gain is that they reduce labor costs," Bruno said. "They shift costs on to the employee."
The shift: teachers contributing seven percent of their pay to their pensions.
"That is a savings that you're going to recoup year after year after year," Bruno said.
When asked what the teachers get out of the proposal, Bruno said, "One could stress that there is a pay increase."
Pay increases that add up to 8.75 percent over four years
"Which helps to reduce the blow of the lost pension," Bruno said.
Despite the teachers' rejection, both sides say they will continue to negotiate.
"We're going to try tweak this a little bit better," CTU president Karen Lewis said Monday.
"We are open to any suggestions that president Lewis has," CPS CEO Forrest Claypool said.
Where does Bruno see the perfect tweak?
"Class size is the elephant in the room," Bruno said. "CTU wants to see class size limited."
But Bruno says CPS doesn't want to talk about limiting class size and a provision in state law allows them to keep it off the table. He says the union is concerned CPS won't replace retiring teachers, which will increase classes and reduce their labor force.
"That issue could overcome some of the financial concessions…if they can get something in that contract, hard and fast, enforceable that would limit class size," Bruno said.
The two sides are scheduled to talk on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Claypool is fighting a two-pronged battle against the teachers and lobbying for more money from Springfield.
