Mayor Rahm Emanuel acknowledged Tuesday that 90 percent is a “huge number” for the Chicago Teachers Union to achieve in its strike authorization vote, but he’s holding out hope for a pre-strike settlement.
“Let’s work together, find common ground, find partnership, reminding ourselves …. [of the need to] work together to better serve the taxpayers and our main constituents, “ the mayor said.
Emanuel pushed for a change in state law that raised the strike authorization threshold to 75 percent, a benchmark so high, at least one education advocate with ties to the mayor predicted that it could never be met.
Instead, the Chicago Teachers Union roared passed that benchmark, fueled by their anger against a mayor who stripped them of a previously-negotiated, four percent pay raise and tried to muscle through a longer school day.
Rahm Pleads for Labor Peace
Of course, he won't do anything to ensure the peace, but he'll blame everyone else except the face in the mirror:
It would seem Rahm underestimated his charm factor by a wide margin. Good luck teachers, you're going to need some strong spines in the days and weeks ahead. Ninety percent is a good start.