Nearly 2,000 faculty and professionals at the City Colleges of Chicago will be on strike starting February 4th unless a contract agreement can be reached. “All Chicago students deserve access to a quality community college system. Cook County College Teachers Union Faculty and Professionals are fighting for classroom investment and equal access to critical career preparation programs so Chicago’s working-class students have true opportunities to succeed,” said Tony Johnston, President of Cook County College Teachers Union, Local 1600. Ninety-two percent of CCC faculty and professionals voted to authorize a strike in December because they know now is the time to stand up for our students and the learning experience they deserve. The union wants more librarians, fewer classes taught by adjunct professors, smaller lab class sizes, and a seat at the table in decisions affecting the future of our colleges. A strike rally is planned for Thursday, Jan. 24th at 6:30pm at the Chicago Teachers Union Center at 1901 W Carroll. Members will be making strike signs and preparing for the February 4th strike. The Cook County College Teachers Union has been in negotiations with the City Colleges of Chicago since April of 2018 and the contracts expired in July of 2018.