CPS, Chicago Teachers Union agreement still far off amid ongoing negotiations

CHICAGO (WLS) -- With school scheduled to resume Monday after a two week winter break, a contract agreement between the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools still appears to be far off.

Both sides said some progress has been made, but an agreement has not yet been reached.

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CPS CEO Pedro Martinez addressed reporters Friday for the first time since he won a temporary restraining order on Christmas Eve, barring Mayor Brandon Johnson's handpicked school board from negotiating directly with CTU unless Martinez invites them to.

"Our CPS team has carefully considered each of the 700 proposals presented to us by CTU. We have worked to provide thoughtful and affordable responses," he said.

The board fired Martinez two weeks ago, but he'll stay on as CEO through the end of the school year.

SEE ALSO: Fired CPS CEO Pedro Martinez back at bargaining table with Chicago Teachers Union Thursday

Friday he and his bargaining team said verbal tentative agreements have been made in areas that include health care contributions, prep time for special education teachers and housing for students in need.

"The eventual agreement must be aligned with our strategic plan and must be financially sustainable, and if we overextend ourselves today, it will be our children and staff who pay the price tomorrow," Martinez said.

CTU also held a news conference Friday afternoon, accusing Martinez of stonewalling negotiations.

"I think the greatest threat to our bargaining momentum is, quite frankly, the supreme being of the Chicago Public Schools that's basically in control of everything," said CTU President Stacy Davis Gates.

The union has been asking, among various items, for more support and resources for teachers, more librarians and other staff, and changes to the way some teachers are evaluated.

"The topsy turvy state of the world that we live in at the moment where somehow the CEO is a supreme being who gets to operate contrary to the directives of the board will not last forever. In the interim, it appears that the CEO would prefer to have conflict with CTU rather than collaboration and compromise," said CTU Deputy General Counsel Thad Goodchild.

Martinez denies any kind of purposeful delay, and asked CTU to come to the table with written agreements for what has been agreed to verbally.