Apples to oranges: How Rahm Emanuel and a unionized private school can have starkly different relationships with the union world
Apples to oranges: How Rahm Emanuel and a unionized private school can have starkly different relationships with the union world
by Paul Kersey In Tuesday’s Chicago Reader Ben Joravsky essentially snarks that there must be something wrong with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, because the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools where the mayor sends his children manages to work just fine with the American Federation of Teachers, or AFT, Local 2063. Emanuel, on the other hand, remains...
California lawsuit seeks to end practice of forced union dues
California lawsuit seeks to end practice of forced union dues
by Paul Kersey In Illinois and many other states, government workers are often forced to pay union dues in order to hold on to their jobs. But a lawsuit filed on behalf of teachers in California may bring this practice to an end. Union officials use forced dues to fund massive political and lobbying drives...
UNO charters unionize
UNO charters unionize
by Paul Kersey Earlier today the Alliance of Charter School Teachers and Staff, known as ACTS, presented cards that were apparently signed by a strong majority of teachers at United Neighborhood Organization charter schools. An observer appointed by UNO and the union counted the cards and determined that ACTS would henceforth represent UNO teachers. For...
The great Twinkie turf war
The great Twinkie turf war
The new owners of Hostess Brands are preparing to restart the production of Twinkies, Ho Hos and all those other sugary treats. Among the plants they plan to reopen is the one in the Chicago suburb of Schiller Park.
By Paul Kersey
Open Letter to the Union Organizing Committee at UNO Schools
Open Letter to the Union Organizing Committee at UNO Schools
Dear Sirs and Madames, Your concerns about my communications with United Neighborhood Organization charter school teachers are duly noted. However, since you are not, as yet, certified as the collective bargaining representative of UNO charter teachers, it is presumptuous of you to speak on their behalf at this time. Therefore, I will continue to contact...
AN ADVISORY FOR UNITED NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION TEACHERS
AN ADVISORY FOR UNITED NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION TEACHERS
With union organizers actively pursuing the unionization of United Neighborhood Organization, or UNO, charter schools, it is extremely important that teachers understand how the process works. You have the right to support a union; and you have the right
Will teachers at UNO at least get a secret-ballot vote?
Will teachers at UNO at least get a secret-ballot vote?
Under the agreement, union organizers would be allowed to make their pitch for unionizing to teachers on school property, and would even be given personal information for teachers.
Union attempts to take over charter schools
Union attempts to take over charter schools
If you can't beat them, join them.
Mead on labor reform: are we heading for a Blue Civil War?
Mead on labor reform: are we heading for a Blue Civil War?
There is precedent for fratricide between unions and their progressive allies, and the aftermath of a labor-versus-the-left donnybrook could very well create an opportunity for a free market oriented reformer.
What Margaret Thatcher can teach us about unions
What Margaret Thatcher can teach us about unions
Politicians on this side of the Atlantic, especially in Illinois, would do well to consider Margaret Thatchers example.
Michigan unions looking for ways around Right to Work
Michigan unions looking for ways around Right to Work
Illinoisans should keep an eye on Michigan, where a new Right-to-Work law has now gone into effect.
Reporter posts footage of CTU school closing rally showing aggressive union behavior
Reporter posts footage of CTU school closing rally showing aggressive union behavior
When Jeremy Segal attempted to approach CTU President Karen Lewis and activist Jesse Jackson to ask about radical groups that were present at the rally, union members and officials blocked the correspondent off and forced him away.
Michigan union officials opt to dump pensions to keep collecting mandatory dues
Michigan union officials opt to dump pensions to keep collecting mandatory dues
For union officials, self-preservation and the desire to avoid accountability to workers trumps their desire to maintain defined benefit pensions; they were willing to dump those pensions to continue mandatory dues.
The battle for Right to Work is a marathon, not a sprint
The battle for Right to Work is a marathon, not a sprint
Labor unions have a virtual lock on Illinois politics. Unionized government delivers services ever-less efficiently in rough proportion to its ever-increasing size.