*** UPDATE 1 *** Still in denial…

In an apparent effort to turn up the heat on floundering negotiations, the Chicago Public Schools announced it would be forced to make $100 million in new cuts — that could be rolled back if a new contract is reached with teachers.

The Chicago Teachers Union blasted the proposed cuts in a news release the union issued even before CPS held the news conference to announce them.

CTU called the cuts “an act of intimidation and bullying because teachers refused to accept a flawed contract offer.” CTU President Karen Lewis was even more blunt, calling it “the latest act of war” and promising a rally of teachers Thursday.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Sheesh…

Spiraling in #CHICAGO https://t.co/kJeESIhfcb

— natasha korecki (@natashakorecki) February 2, 2016

[ *** End Of Updates *** ]

* Mark Brown on the CTU bargaining committee’s rejection of the contract deal cut by Karen Lewis…

Looking at it from the other side, how does schools CEO Forrest Claypool and his team negotiate with a union bargaining committee that can’t confidently speak for its members? […]

The CTU is in a very unique place, as far as labor unions go in the 21st century, its members still empowered by the perceived success of its 2012 strike.

But I would caution its members that if they’re seriously contemplating another strike they should expect to encounter a less sympathetic public than they did in 2012, when public opinion was on their side.

Agreed on both points.

* And let’s hope we don’t have a repeat of 2011, when Lewis signed off on an education reform bill along with the IFT and the IEA only to walk it back after she was ripped to shreds by her own union. And, like now, Lewis was also assailed by folks on the other side of the negotiating table for not being a trustworthy bargaining partner. She cut a deal then disowned it.

After that legislative debacle, Lewis was forced to become even more hardline, which led directly to the 2012 strike.

…Adding… I should’ve noted here that the CTU will be electing officers this spring, which is why Claypool wanted these contract negotiations wrapped up as soon as possible. If this isn’t finalized soon, the campaign will make it even more unlikely that they can get a deal because Lewis will have to guard her left flank (and, considering this union’s membership, it’s a huge flank).