Chicago Teachers Union

The union said it wouldn't strike over furlough days, while CPS said it wouldn't cut pension payments.

The teachers' union threatened a strike if a 7 percent pension pickup is dropped; CPS said it's coming.

CPS has schools on increased safety alert, but parents say walk-ins are a show of support, not protest.

In a 10-second Star Wars-themed video, Lewis demands "No economic layoffs" and "enforceable class size."

Union leaders had called the cuts a negotiating tactic, but CPS officials say they have no options left.

"Teachers around the city are united right now," said Chicago Teachers Union VP Jesse Sharkey.

The letter said that the rejected contract "raised teachers’ pay [and] prevented teacher layoffs."

Chicago Teachers Union leader Jesse Sharkey said Gov. Rauner "knows nothing about real education."

The earliest teachers could walk out would be May 23, the Chicago Teachers Union said.

"We're gonna do our very best to avoid teacher layoffs," said CPS CEO Forrest Claypool.

President Karen Lewis dared CPS to impose layoffs, saying upped class sizes would cause a public outcry.

Union negotiators are mulling over a proposal CPS CEO Forrest Claypool called a "true compromise."

Schools chief Forrest Claypool readied "painful layoffs to the Central Office and administrative staff."

"At this point, that's not the way things are looking," the Chicago Teachers Union chief said.

Critics said the plan was a "direct attack" on teachers and would fail Chicago's students.