But Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates said she's frustrated one person — schools chief Pedro Martinez — seems to hold the keys to getting a contract as the two sides work to negotiate a deal and avoid a strike.

Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and CPS leaders are at an impasse in contract negotiations, with little progress made despite meetings throughout December.

In dueling press conferences Friday Public Schools officials and Chicago Teachers Union members each emphasized that valuable progress had been made in their long-running contract negotiations. But in the eight months since the union launched its demands,

Officials with Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union on Friday held dual press conferences to provide updates on their ongoing contract negotiations, with both sides expressing frustrations over the slow progress.