State Senator Martin A. Sandoval (D-Chicago) announced his support Tuesday for teachers of Acero Charter Schools that have gone on strike. “Time and time again, across the country, we see administrations unwilling to give teachers a voice in their negotiations for equitable pay, fair benefits and the changes needed to do what is right for their students,” Sandoval said. “I stand with the teachers of Acero Schools because their fight is a fight for our students and a fight for the future of the Southwest Side.” The Chicago Tribune reported that the strike stems from differences on reduced class sizes, maternity and paternity leave, a revamped teacher evaluation system, better pay, commitments to special education services and guaranteed protections for undocumented students and families. The 7,500 students that make up Acero Schools are predominantly Latino. Acero is a 15-school network formerly known as the UNO Charter School Network. The two sides came to the brink of a strike in 2016, but ultimately came to a contract agreement.