Advertisement

Chicago teachers file federal lawsuit

CHICAGO, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The battle between the Chicago Teachers Union and the school district over layoffs has moved into the courts, school officials say.

The CTU has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to halt teacher layoffs designed to help alleviate a $370 million budget deficit, the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday.

Advertisement

Filing of the lawsuit follows the school district's firing of 239 teaching coaches and the mailing of layoff notices to some 600 teachers and other district personnel.

The two sides are currently locked in negotiations over layoffs and increases in class size to trim the deficit.

The CTU suit contends school officials violated teachers' rights under the Illinois school code and the union contract because some of the layoff decisions weren't made on the basis of seniority.

The suit also charges that teachers' due process rights have been violated.

Latest Headlines