With a potential teachers’ strike looming in Chicago, some parents might have to come up with plans for child care if teachers hit the picket line.
A strike will start Oct. 17 if the Chicago Teachers Union cannot come to an agreement with the Chicago Board of Education. The two parties disagree on several issues including staffing and a cap on class sizes.
In the event of a strike, Chicago Public Schools said its buildings would be open, but classroom instruction wouldn't be available.
The school district has provided a "contigency plan" website that allows parents to enter their address, and find the best location to send their children.
Principals and non-union support staff would be on-hand to help house students, and keep them engaged safely, CPS officials said. Breakfast and lunch would also be served.
The YMCA of Metro Chicago told NBC 5 on Friday that it was making plans to care for students.
"We have been monitoring the negotiations very closely, and we are pooling our resources right now to try to accomodate, and to make sure that parents have an option," said Man-Yee Lee, a YMCA spokeswoman.
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The YMCA took in students during the last Chicago Teachers Union strike in 2012.
"What we've learned from that situation is that we have to be very prepared, especially with the added bonus this time of the park districts not being able to provide any services this time, so we are the plan I would say for the strike this time," Lee said.
