Cleveland teachers to protest lack of progress on new pact

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Cleveland teachers plan to rally for one hour Tuesday evening to protest the lack of progress on a new contract.

The school board has approved laying off nearly 800 employees, including 546 teachers, as part of a plan to eliminate a $53 million deficit. The layoffs could cause classes to grow to more than 40 students.

District CEO Eugene Sanders says teachers can limit job losses by agreeing to concessions, such as wage cuts, but the union has refused.

Teachers union President David Quolke accuses Sanders’ negotiating team of ignoring union proposals in a push for broad expansion of management rights.

The teachers’ three-year contract expires June 30.

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