
By Mary Wisniewski
(Reuters) – Chicago Teachers Union delegates decided on Sunday to extend their weeklong strike until at least Wednesday to give them time to consult with rank-and-file members before voting to suspend the walkout.
In a surprise decision, union President Karen Lewis said that some 800 delegates meeting on Sunday to review a new contract agreement negotiated with Mayor Rahm Emanuel decided that they needed more time to consider whether to go back to work.
“A clear majority (of the delegates) wanted to stay out. That’s why we are staying out,” Lewis told a news conference after a three-hour meeting… Read More

Chicago Teachers Union members leave a House of Delegates meeting on the seventh day of their strike in Chicago, September 16, 2012. Union delegates for 29,000 Chicago teachers and support staff decided on Sunday to continue their strike until at least Tuesday because they want to consult with rank-and-file members before voting to end the walk out. Teachers went out on strike on Sept. 10 over Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's demand for education reforms. REUTERS/John Gress

Chicago Teachers Union members leave a House of Delegates meeting on the seventh day of their strike in Chicago, September 16, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

Thanks to this live truck, I had a little shade, if only for a moment today, as I waited for the meeting to end.

Chicago Teachers Union members leave a House of Delegates meeting on the seventh day of their strike in Chicago, September 16, 2012. Union delegates for 29,000 Chicago teachers and support staff decided on Sunday to continue their strike until at least Tuesday because they want to consult with rank-and-file members before voting to end the walk out. Teachers went out on strike on Sept. 10 over Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's demand for education reforms. REUTERS/John Gress

Chicago Teachers Union president Karen Lewis and vice president Jesse Sharkey listen to a question from the media during a press conference on the seventh day of their strike in Chicago, September 16, 2012. Chicago Teachers Union delegates decided on Sunday to extend their weeklong strike until at least Wednesday to give them time to consult with rank-and-file members before voting to suspend the walkout. REUTERS/John Gress

Chicago Teachers Union members leave a House of Delegates meeting on the seventh day of their strike in Chicago, September 16, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress