CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 10: Thousands of Chicago public school teachers and their supporters march through the Loop and in front of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) headquarters on September 10, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. More than 26,000 teachers and support staff hit the picket lines this morning after the Chicago Teachers Union failed to reach an agreement with the city on compensation, benefits and job security. With about 350,000 students, the Chicago school district is the third largest i
By SOPHIA TAREEN / Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago teachers strike will keep 350,000 students out of class for at least one more day.
The city's teachers union said classes won't resume Friday, but the union has called a special delegates meeting for that afternoon, when the bargaining team will give an update on contract talks. Teachers have been on strike since Monday.
There's no indication the two sides have a settlement. However, union President Karen Lewis says she is "optimistic" about the negotiations. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has reiterated all week that he considers the work stoppage a "strike of choice."
The union plans a labor rally Saturday in a park on Chicago's West Side.