Thousands of teachers walked off the job Monday in Chicago's first schools strike in 25 years, after union leaders announced that months-long negotiations had failed to resolve a contract dispute with school district officials by a midnight deadline.

An independent fact finder has recommended that Chicago teachers receive a 14.85 percent raise to "compensate teachers for working a longer school day and year," a union official union said Monday.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said Monday that he would be willing to consider changes in the state's $77 billion pension system, with a report on expected to be released this week on how the system could be improved.