Deathbed Skelator (CTU) Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis: Cross picketline Friday, lose union status

The Chicago Teachers Union has a message for teachers not willing to participate in Friday's one-day strike: if you cross the picket line, be prepared for the consequences.

When asked if the union would take steps to remove  Chicago Public School teachers,  CTU Vice President Jesse Sharkey  said, “I suspect we would.”

Teachers who do cross the picket line won’t lose their jobs, just their status as a union member and the ability to vote on union matters.

The union however doesn’t think many will choose to cross the picket line.

CTU is striking over contract differences, as well as to put pressure on the governor and state lawmakers to send more money to public education.

They are billing Friday as “A Day of Action.”

CPS is calling Friday’s strike illegal and says it won’t pay teachers who don’t come to class. They are also working on a contingency plan for students for that day.  Those plans are expected to be released tomorrow.