Chicago student enrollment dropped by 6,000, but union blocks closing schools

By Ben Szalinski

11/22/2019

The new contract continues a moratorium on school closings despite plummeting student enrollment.

TAGS: administration, administrators, Chicago, contract, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, credit rating, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, enrollment, enrollment numbers, funding, funding guarantee, junk credit rating, salary increase, step increase, students, support staff

Ending dues deductions, recovering fees harder for public employees under bill passed by Illinois lawmakers

By Joe Tabor

11/14/2019

SB 1784 would hurt workers trying to stop paying union dues or trying to learn about their options. Union leaders get greater access to them and their personal information.

TAGS: Janus v. AFSCME, Jay Hoffman, labor, unions

Grayslake school employees who don’t want to strike: You have options

By Mailee Smith

11/08/2019

Not all teachers and support staff at Grayslake Community Consolidated School District 46 want to be on strike. Those who are not members of the union have more options – and more freedom – in deciding whether to walk the picket line.

TAGS: grayslake, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, strike

Striking Chicago teachers have the right to go to work and get paid

By Mailee Smith

10/30/2019

Teachers in Chicago Public Schools who are not union members cannot be punished for going to work during a union strike.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, strike

Illinois House passes bill to make it harder for public employees to leave unions, recover fees

By Joe Tabor

10/29/2019

SB 1784 would hurt workers trying to stop paying union dues, give unions greater access to them and their personal information.

Chicago school worker says she was assaulted for crossing picket line

By Austin Berg

10/27/2019

Yedidah Reuben said two union members attacked her for trying to work.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, labor, unions

Mendota teachers who don’t want to strike: Here are your options

By Mailee Smith

10/24/2019

A teacher strike in Mendota, Illinois has lasted more than a week – but not all teachers in the small community may want to be on strike.

TAGS: labor, Mendota, strike

Chicago teachers who don’t want to be on strike have options

By Mailee Smith

10/23/2019

The Chicago Teachers Union walked out on strike Oct. 17, but teachers who are not members of the union have more freedom to decide whether to return to their students.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, strike

Chicago Teachers Union on strike for third time in 7 years

By Mailee Smith

10/21/2019

After rejecting an offer based on recommendations of a neutral third-party report, Illinois’ largest teachers’ union walked out on their students Oct. 17.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, property taxes, taxes

CTU is out on strike: 6 things you need to know

By Mailee Smith

10/21/2019

The Chicago Teachers Union went on strike despite an offer that would boost average pay to nearly $100,000. Here’s who is getting hurt and the true costs of the strike.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Lori Lightfoot, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, strike, taxes, teacher salaries