Well well well. It had to happen.

Seems like the Chicago Democrats in charge and the Unions that they owe their career to can't seem to get along.

Is it because Ideologues are dysfunctional?

Rahmbo vs. the Teachers Union

The average Chicago teacher makes $76,450, nearly 30% more than the typical private sector worker in Cook Countyâ€"and teachers work two months less a year. Their last five-year contract called for 4% annual raises. However, the district rescinded teachers' raises last year because its deficit ballooned to $700 million. Its deficit is projected to grow to more than $1 billion in the next two years due to soaring pension costs. Teachers can retire at age 60 with an annuity equal to 75% of their highest average salary, meaning that teachers earn more in retirement than most Chicagoans do on the job.

The union is demanding a 30% raise over the next two years and class sizes capped at 23 students. Mr. Emanuel [net worth $12 million] wants to give teachers a 2% raise next year and establish a merit pay pilot program. The unions say they're entitled to more money since the district is requiring teachers to work 90 more minutes a day and 10 more days a year. A new lawâ€"which the state legislature passed almost unanimously last yearâ€"allows the district to impose such changes unilaterally.

Teachers want a bevy of other perks guaranteed in their contracts, which would cost the district an additional $800 million. The union says the city could pay for the new contract by raising taxes on the rich and corporations, but schools' main source of local funding is property taxesâ€"which would have to rise by 75% to meet all of the union's demands.

Even so, the mayor and school district still have to bargain with the union over other changes to their contracts, including wages, benefits, work rules and seniority. Since the parties haven't been able to reach an agreement on many of these provisions, an independent arbitrator has been tasked with "fact-finding" and recommending a resolution.

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