Board of Education v. Chicago Teachers Union, Local 1

On June 16, 1977, the Board of Education of the City of Chicago (Board) closed all schools and laid off all employees for economic reasons. Thereafter, the Chicago Teachers Union (Union) sought binding arbitration, alleging that the layoff violated its collective bargaining agreement with the Board. The Board brought an action to enjoin the arbitration and the Union counterclaimed, alleging that the one-day layoff constituted a breach of contract. Following a bench trial, the circuit court enjoined arbitration, but found that the Board breached its contract with the Union. The court further…