In the country’s first-ever charter school teachers’ strike, hundreds of educators in Chicago’s Acero charter network last week walked out of their classrooms.
The 15 schools across the charter network canceled classes as more than 500 teachers, paraprofessionals, and support-staff members went on strike after a series of failed negotiations with management. The educators, who are members of the Chicago Teachers Union, are fighting for pay raises, smaller class sizes, and more funding for special education services.
Acero Schools CEO Richard Rodriguez charged that union leaders were putting their “anti-charter political agenda ahead of the interests of our students.”
Acero was formerly known as UNO Charter Schools Network, which was plagued with scandals—including being charged in federal court with defrauding investors. It rebranded to Acero Schools last year.
