Chicago teachers file unfair labor charge

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/595917,CST-NWS-ctu10.article

October 10, 2007
BY KATE N. GROSSMAN Education Reporter kgrossman@suntimes.com

Six months after payroll problems began cheating some Chicago teachers out of timely and complete paychecks, the Chicago Teachers Union has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the Chicago Public Schools.

The union says CPS is reneging on its promise to make teachers whole who were shortchanged by glitches in the payroll system that came online last spring. Since April, the CTU has filed nearly 600 grievances over paycheck problems.

CPS has resolved some grievances in favor of teachers but still hasn't paid up, the CTU says in a complaint filed last week with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board.

The district has acknowledged problems with the payroll system, PeopleSoft, saying it should have better prepared for a difficult transition. Regarding the unfair labor charge, CPS spokesman Mike Vaughn says the district will work with CTU to reach a settlement.

"We're doing everything we can to get this resolved," he said.

But a new payroll problem is looming. The CTU ratified a new contract Sept. 10, but the 4 percent raises won't kick in until at least December, Vaughn said. He blames PeopleSoft plus extra time needed to implement a complicated contract.