Teachers in the nation's third-largest public school district have overwhelmingly voted in support of a strike, though the earliest one could occur is mid-October. 95% of the Chicago Teachers Union's voting members favored strike authorization. The support was expected. About 88% supported a strike during a similar December vote.
The union, which represents over 25,000 members, needs 75% support and 10 days of notice before a walkout. CTU's governing body meets Wednesday to determine the next steps. If they decide to give notice, the first possible day of the strike would be Oct. 11.
Cost-of-living raises, pension contributions and health care have been key issues since the contract expired last year. Teachers staged a one-day walk in April. The last major strike was in 2012.
