Teachers union demands 9% pay raise amid highest salaries in the nation
- The median salary for Chicago Public Schools teachers is nearly $95,000, which is higher than the suburban average.
- The Chicago Teachers Union is asking for a 9% annual raise and $50 billion in additional funding.
- The editorial concluded that the high salaries should motivate teachers to show up to work consistently.
In the United States, specifically in Chicago, the Chicago Tribune editorial board recently criticized the Chicago Teachers Union for its demands for higher pay. The board highlighted that the median annual salary for teachers in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is nearly $95,000, which is significantly higher than the $78,000 median salary in Cook County's suburbs. In addition to already high salaries, the teachers' union is requesting an additional $50 billion in funding to support wage hikes and other requests. Furthermore, the editorial pointed out the issue of chronic absenteeism among teachers, noting that over 41% of CPS teachers took more than 10 days off last year, excluding their vacation time. The board concluded that given the high salaries and repeated demands, there should be an expectation for teachers to consistently attend work and fulfill their responsibilities.