The Cook County College Teachers Union, Local 1600, and the City Colleges of Chicago reached an overnight tentative contract agreement just hours before a strike was set to kick off Monday. The contract is for four years and includes salaries that keep pace with inflation, protected health insurance , safeguards toward AI and a path toward free developmental education, according to a press release from the union. "I am proud of our negotiating teams, of our members who were prepared to strike, and of this contract,” said CCCTU President Tony Johnston. “It should not have taken until 3:45 a.m. the day of a strike to get here. But we are happy to reach a fair agreement that supports students, faculty, and professionals.”The agreement must now go to the membership for a ratification vote. If members approve, the agreement will go to the City Colleges Board of Trustees for approval. ...read more read less