Overview
- Hundreds of educators and supporters, with organizers reporting more than 1,000 sign-ups by midmorning, picketed across District 11 on Wednesday in the city’s first teacher strike in about 50 years.
- The district kept schools open using substitute teachers and administrators, and striking educators were not paid for the day as extra incentive pay was offered to substitutes.
- Superintendent Michael Gaal said fewer substitutes were needed than during a March protest and acknowledged some classes experienced interruptions.
- Union leaders demand restoration of the collective bargaining agreement, arguing the new employee handbook lacks enforceable protections and weakens teacher voice.
- Board members defended the handbook as preserving rights, called the walkout a political stunt, and noted teachers received a 10% raise and guaranteed planning time and duty-free lunches.