Chicago teachers union to vote Wednesday on one-day strike

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Ahead of a Wednesday vote on whether to hold a one-day strike, the Chicago Teachers Union plans to pitch the idea to its membership.

The union is hosting a Tele-Town Hall Meeting, via telephone, at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

CTU officials will ask its leadership to authorize a one-day walkout on April 1 to help make a case for school funding during the state budget crisis.

CPS has said that teachers who do not come to work on April 1 will not be paid.

The teachers and union have yet to finalize a contract.

In a statement, CPS said: "In January, CPS reached a tentative new labor contract with CTU's leadership, and so we believe a final contract is within our reach if both parties continue to negotiate in good faith. Instead of focusing on reaching an agreement, it is disappointing to see the CTU's leadership promoting a strike that would potentially take a critical day of instruction away from our students. If CTU leadership ultimately decides to ask their teachers to take an illegal strike, CPS will share detailed plans with parents on how we will keep students safe, fed and engaged."