CTU members give OK to strike, union says

The Chicago Teachers Union on Monday said its members have authorized its leaders to call a strike if contract talks break down.

The union said just over 90 percent of its members voted in a petition distributed over three days last week, and about 95 percent of those who voted gave the go-ahead for a strike. State law requires at least 75 percent of total CTU membership to authorize a strike before one can occur.

The strike authorization vote sets up a pivotal week in the long-running talks between the union and the Chicago Board of Education. Both the board and the union's House of Delegates are set to meet Wednesday.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-chicago-teachers-union-approves-strike-20160926-story.html