Labor

Nick Salzmann

“We’ve been going back and forth with the union to have that vote to no avail, so we brought in help from National Right To Work to file everything to decertify.”

Quick-to-strike leaders need to be replaced, Chicago Teachers Union members say

The Members First Caucus said the current Chicago Teachers Union leaders see “work stoppages and strikes as the first step, and not the last one.” They want less political activism and more focus on delivering for members and students.

By Patrick Andriesen

Amendment 1 would come between teachers, dedication to students

Amendment 1 would give Illinois teachers a permanent right to strike, taking more class time away from teachers who believe their place is with their students instead of on the picket line. Voters will decide Nov. 8.

Chicago Teachers Union’s illegal strike is over, but parents sue to stop next one

Parents of Chicago Public Schools students sued to end the “remote work action” by Chicago Teachers Union members that kept 340,000 students out of classrooms for five days. The walkout is over, but the lawsuit is continuing to prevent the next illegal strike.

By Patrick Andriesen

Amendment 1 would guarantee Illinois’ sky-high debt, taxes would rise faster

Unfair advantages for public sector unions are already driving Illinois’ massive debt and high taxes. Enshrining their power in the Illinois Constitution would make it worse and give voters less say about government costs.

By Adam Schuster, Justin Carlson

Ashley Muzzillo

“The union can literally hold our children hostage.”

Chicago-area firefighters battle to kick out union

Carpentersville firefighters collected enough signatures to trigger the removal of SEIU as their union, but SEIU is fighting back against their freedom to choose.

By Mailee Smith

Strike cost Chicago students 5 days; Amendment 1 could cost them many more

Voters will decide Nov. 8 whether the Chicago Teachers Union will have a permanent right to walk out on students for whatever reason union bosses decide.

Chicago Teachers Union ends walkout after students lose 5 days

Chicago students will be back in classes Jan. 12 after losing five days of instruction thanks to a walkout by the Chicago Teachers Union. The union forced more COVID-19 testing, but damaged students’ educations for the third time in 27 months to do so.

By Dylan Sharkey

Chicago Public Schools rejects opt-out testing solution

CPS rejected a proposal from the Chicago Teachers Union that would have tested randomly selected students. Mayor Lighfoot says parents opting in is non-negotiable

By Dylan Sharkey

Sarah Sachen

"Remote learning is dreadful for children with special needs. It’s so difficult to catch them up. My youngest in pre-K is doing really well so far in school. They need to be in a classroom.”

Nonprofit offers $5 million in grant money for Chicago families harmed by CTU walkout

A nonprofit is dedicating $5 million in rescue funds to create more opportunities for students shut out of classrooms while negotiations between Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools drag on.

By Dylan Sharkey

Lightfoot fights back against CTU, withholds pay and considering legal action

In the ongoing CPS-CTU feud, Mayor Lightfoot says teachers on strike will be docked pay, and the city is considering legal recourse. The union says classrooms aren’t safe, and they won’t budge until COVID cases drop or demands are met.

By Dylan Sharkey

Joe Ocol

“I have nothing against the union, but I have something against people who use the union for a political agenda for their own self-interest, because I feel that this has something to do with political motives.”