City Colleges of Chicago staff set Oct. 19 strike date after 96% vote to authorize work stoppage
The Cook County College Teachers Union Local 1600 announced it will strike starting Oct. 19 if no contract agreement is reached with City Colleges of Chicago. The union represents nearly 1,500 faculty and professional staff, and 96% of voting members approved a work stoppage. Union President Tony Johnston said at a Thursday press conference that the vote shows the scale of employee frustration. “That is not a small group of frustrated people,” Johnston said. “That is a workforce speaking with one voice.”
The strike announcement came after union members picketed outside Harold Washington College on Oct. 2. Local 1600 has been bargaining with City Colleges leaders since February, according to union officials. Contracts for faculty and professional staff expired in mid July.
The union’s contract demands include improved wages, reduced class sizes, protections related to artificial intelligence, affordable health insurance, and free developmental education for students. Johnston said the union is calling on the Board of Trustees and Chancellor Juan Salgado to return to negotiations with a serious offer before the strike begins.
The Illinois Federation of Teachers, which is affiliated with Local 1600, said negotiations are continuing with a federal mediator but that the two sides remain far apart. Johnston said the contract fight is connected to the college system’s stated mission of providing quality and accessible education, and he said that mission depends on employees receiving a fair contract.
A City Colleges of Chicago spokesperson said Friday that the system is focused on reaching agreements with faculty and professional staff. “City Colleges remains committed to finalizing agreements with faculty and professional staff as we continue to support students in achieving their educational and career goals,” the spokesperson said.
The union’s membership includes faculty and professional staff across City Colleges of Chicago. If no agreement is reached before Oct. 19, the union will begin striking that day.
