CHICAGO (WKOW) -- The Chicago teachers strike will keep 350,000 students out of class for at least one more day.
The city's teachers union says 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.
********
CHICAGO (WKOW) -- Negotiators trying to bring an end to the Chicago teacher's strike say the most recent talks made substantial progress and suggested that classes could begin again, as soon as Friday.
The negotiations ended shortly before midnight Wednesday. Afterward, Chicago Teachers' Union President said the sides had definitely come closer together. Lewis says the strike would continue Thursday, but she added, "Let's hope for Friday."
Chicago School Board President David Vitale was also more positive after Wednesday's talks.
Vitale says negotiators have made progress and he's hopeful they can come to a deal. He also says he hopes students will be back in class on Friday. Chicago's teachers went on strike Monday, for the first time in 25 years.
