Illinois lawmakers seek to be nation’s first to put job-killing amendment in state constitution
Illinois lawmakers seek to be nation’s first to put job-killing amendment in state constitution
A proposal in the Illinois General Assembly would prohibit right-to-work laws in Illinois, making Illinois the only state to ban worker freedoms in its constitution.
By Mailee Smith
Benny Durbin
Benny Durbin
“I just didn’t feel well-represented, or like there was enough support from our union. They didn’t really help us when we went into negotiations. They never really asked us what we wanted.”
Pritzker signs bill making it easier for Chicago Teachers Union to walk out on students
Pritzker signs bill making it easier for Chicago Teachers Union to walk out on students
A new law gives the Chicago Teachers Union more leverage in contract negotiations, and more opportunities to go on strike. Eight of the nation’s 10 largest school districts prohibit teacher strikes.
By Mailee Smith
Strike gains less than 1% over 3 years by idling Bourbonnais students for week
Strike gains less than 1% over 3 years by idling Bourbonnais students for week
The Bourbonnais Education Association walked out, gaining 10.25% over 3 years rather than the 9.5% the district offered before the strike. Students lost a week of school.
By Patrick Andriesen
Bourbonnais union strikes; claims to fight for students ‘out on the picket line’
Bourbonnais union strikes; claims to fight for students ‘out on the picket line’
A disagreement over final contract details caused the teachers union to strike in Bourbonnais, putting 2,452 elementary students out of class.
By Brad Weisenstein
Karena Cozad
Karena Cozad
“First of all, they shouldn’t tell you it’s mandatory. It’s misleading if you’re a non-union member.”
Where are Chicago parents at the bargaining table?
Where are Chicago parents at the bargaining table?
With the Chicago Teachers Union finally deciding students can return to classrooms, parent groups are clamoring to be heard. Unfortunately, Illinois law prohibits them from having much say about schools reopening.
By Mailee Smith
Chicago students falling behind as city, teachers’ union squabble
Chicago students falling behind as city, teachers’ union squabble
The Chicago Teachers Union has more demands before it will tell members to return to classrooms. Chicago’s mayor says the teachers’ union has a final offer.
FAQs: What Chicago teachers should know before going on strike
FAQs: What Chicago teachers should know before going on strike
Chicago Teachers Union is poised to go on strike for the fourth time in nine years. Here’s what Chicago Public Schools teachers need to know before joining a strike.
By Mailee Smith
Chicago teacher strike threat grows as elementary students miss return
Chicago teacher strike threat grows as elementary students miss return
With an agreement close but the Chicago Teachers Union refusing to budge, elementary students missed what was to be their first day back in 10 months. Now the fourth strike in nine years is imminent.
By Brad Weisenstein
Potential CTU strike about boosting power of nation’s teachers’ unions
Potential CTU strike about boosting power of nation’s teachers’ unions
The Chicago Teachers Union prided itself as the vanguard for a rash of nationwide teacher strikes following its 2012 walkout. It’s using the same playbook in 2021.
By Mailee Smith
Chicago Teachers Union idles students, threatens 4th strike in 9 years
Chicago Teachers Union idles students, threatens 4th strike in 9 years
All of the evidence supports getting Chicago students back in the classroom after more than 10 months. The Chicago Teachers Union is refusing to let teachers accompany them.
By Brad Weisenstein
Chicago teachers who don’t want to strike have options
Chicago teachers who don’t want to strike have options
Chicago Public Schools teachers face a tough decision in the coming days: While the district is set to reopen K-8 schools for the first time since March 2020, the Chicago Teachers Union is calling for teachers to take collective action and refuse to return to classrooms. Whether refusing to work in person would constitute an...
By Mailee Smith
Union votes to defy Chicago school reopening plans, boosting potential for another strike
Union votes to defy Chicago school reopening plans, boosting potential for another strike
Students are scheduled to return to classrooms Feb. 1 for the first time in 10 months. The union is threatening that.
By Mailee Smith