CHICAGO (CBS) — Members of the Chicago Teachers Union Tuesday night — demanding that Chicago Public Schools do more to make old buildings safer.
This happened while the union and CPS continued to iron out their contract.
A passionate crowd, mostly CTU members, held the rally Tuesday. They stood outside the Chicago Public Schools Central Office, 42 W. Madison St., demanding greener schools in Chicago.
The demand for “green schools” includes upgrades such as replacing lead pipes. Teachers and students talked about some of the problems they encounter on a daily basis.
“When I think of green schools, I think of schools with healthy lunches and water that is not polluted,” said one participant at the meeting.
During the meeting, one attendee said the average age of a school in the CPS system is 84, meaning there are toxins, lead and mold in the buildings.
CTU Vice President Jackson Potter said the union is pushing for the school district — and especially General Manager Pedro Martinez — to address the dilapidated schools.
Union leaders want the district to act quickly and say they are concerned the new Trump administration could cut funding.
The union is still in lengthy contract negotiations with CPS. Members recently advocated for libraries and librarians in every school.
