I'd like someone to tell me how it is possible to be a liberal and not support striking teachers.

[lumberjack_jeff]

32. It is a background issue, not central to the strike.

Still, Mr. Vitale expressed optimism that an agreement was within reach, and school officials have said the only unresolved issues are how to evaluate teachers and whether teaching openings should automatically go to laid-off teachers. They say they have made significant concessions in contract talks, including what would amount to a 16 percent pay increase for teachers over four years.

But union leaders say there continues to be an array of differences, including benefits, raises based on experience level, the lack of air-conditioning in classrooms and training days for teachers. The school system faces what is projected to be a $1 billion deficit in the system’s operating budget next year.

Teacher evaluations, however, appear to be the most difficult issue to resolve.

While union leaders say they accept that some portion of teacher evaluations will be tethered to student test scores — they believe that the schools’ current proposal would push the equation out of balance.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/education/talks-to-continue-in-chicago-teachers-strike.html?pagewanted=all