News In Brief

Chicago schoolteachers on picket line over pay

Public school teachers went on strike in Chicago Monday in a contract dispute , closing the country's third-largest public school system and giving 430,000 students an unexpected holiday.

The 28,000 teachers, who have worked without a contract since the school year began, were joined on the picket line by 18,000 janitors and other support personnel from 17 other unions. The teachers are said to be seeking a 9 percent raise. The board of education has been demanding a shorter work year, in effect a pay cut, and a reduction in health benefits.