City Colleges’ Board Expected to Approve a Tentative Agreement for a New Contract with Cook County College Teachers Union Local 1600.

Contact: Elsa Tullos
312.553.2828

City Colleges and CCCTU Local 1600 take unprecedented steps to ensure instructional continuity for the District’s students. The CCC administration and union leaders reach tentative agreement 12 months early.

Chicago, IL (May 23, 2007) – A special meeting of the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) Board of Trustees is being held on Thursday, May 24, at 4:00 p.m. at which the CCC Board is expected to approve a tentative agreement for a five-year contract with the Cook County College Teachers Union (CCCTU) Local 1600. The proposed agreement was ratified by the CCCTU Local 1600 on Monday, May 21 with a vote for approval by 86% of the faculty and 92% of the Local 1600 professionals.

The CCCTU Local 1600 current contract expires July 15, 2008. The new contract ensures six years of institutional continuity that will enable CCC to focus fully on its mission of educating its students. It also represents an amicable coming together of Local 1600 and the CCC administration in contrast to the sharply contested negotiations in 2004.

“The negotiations, which led to this contract, began with the union and the Chancellor agreeing to work together for the success of our students,” said Local 1600 President Perry Buckley. “The result will be a historic contract which gives us six years of labor peace while providing an excellent labor package for our 850 members who serve our students.”

CCCTU Local 1600 representatives and CCC administrators will attend the May 24 special board meeting, which will take place at the City Colleges of Chicago District Office, 226 W. Jackson Blvd., room 300.

“This unprecedented agreement marks a new day in the relationship between the faculty’s union and the administration of City Colleges.We are working together to establish the best community college system in the nation,” said Wayne D. Watson, chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago.

“CCC can now focus on its core mission of baccalaureate transfer, building a strong workforce, and preparing adult learners in basic skills and English as a Second Language,” continued Chancellor Watson.“The proposed agreement establishes the foundation for shared governance, which, as it becomes interwoven throughout the District, will result in our common goal of providing excellence in our educational programs.”

CCCTU Local 1600 represents over 5,000 education professionals who work in Cook County’s community colleges.

The City Colleges of Chicago (Community College District 508) is one of the largest urban community college systems in the nation serving more than 100,000 students annually. CCC provides four essential services: liberal arts education (associate degrees and certificates); occupation education (workforce training); adult education (GED, ESL, ABE) and continuing education (programs that add value to the quality of life). The seven separately accredited City Colleges are: Daley College, Kennedy-King College, Malcolm X College, Olive-Harvey College, Harold Washington College, Truman College and Wright College. For more information visit www.ccc.edu.