Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

CPS cancels multiple football, volleyball and flag football games after referees strike over nonpayment

suntimes.com · 4h · first reportShare

Chicago Public Schools has canceled multiple freshman, junior varsity games, girls flag football and volleyball games this week after referees went on strike due to not being paid for several weeks. “Varsity [football] games are in jeopardy,” referee Breyion Hutchinson told the Sun-Times on Wednesday. “If the officials are not paid today they will not work tomorrow.” More than 250 high school referees that regularly work CPS games are on strike. "CPS officials can work two games on Thursday, two games on Friday and up to three games on Saturday," Hutchinson said. "Along with volleyball and flag football. We depend on this money for our livelihood." Football officials were paid directly by the schools for Weeks 1 through 3. CPS was supposed to start paying them in Week 4 and that hasn't happened according to Hutchinson and fellow official Mike Outten. “Two weeks ago when we met with the [CPS Sports Administration they told us funds would be released Friday through Monday,” Hutchinson sa