Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Claypool not worried about a strike. It's all good.

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Claypool not worried about a strike. It's all good.:

Claypool not worried about a strike. It's all good.

Claypool with top lawyer Mormer, the man from Jenner & Block

Given that Chicago schools CEO Forrest Claypool is under investigation once again, this time for funneling CPS contracts a connected law firm, you would think he would tone down his arrogance a notch or that the mayor would put someone else in front of the media for a while.

Claypool suddenly exudes a false sense of optimism after forecasting a deficit hovering near $1 billion less than a year ago. This even while Gov. Rauner, in a political death spiral himself, is still holding the state's school budget hostage.

After a year of CPS teachers working without of contract, Claypool still had the audacity to assure everyone that contract negotiations with the CTU were going swell with no need to worry about a teachers strike.

"We are at the negotiating table. I don't see any reason why we should not be able to come to an agreement. Teachers do important work. We want to give them as generous a contract as we can possibly provide given the dollars that are available."

Well here's one reason for no agreement. Claypool continues to push for an end to the 7% pension pick up which was negotiated in lieu of a pay increase. With no corresponding pay Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Claypool not worried about a strike. It's all good.: