Chicago teachers’ strike, salary demands ignore what Chicagoans can afford

By Bill Reveille, Adam Schuster

10/16/2019

During the past 10 years, the median salary for a Chicago teacher has grown 75% faster than the median salary for private-sector Chicago workers.

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

CTU says union contract negotiations should be livestreamed to the public. It has a point.

By Mailee Smith

10/09/2019

In calling for livestreamed negotiations, CTU highlights need for transparency in Illinois public employee negotiations.

TAGS: contract, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, labor, Lori Lightfoot

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

By Mailee Smith

10/07/2019

Chicago Teachers Union has announced a strike authorization vote for Sept. 24 through Sept. 26, but teachers who are not members of the union have more freedom to decide whether to honor the strike.

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

CTU strikes mostly harm minority students, low income families

By Bryce Hill

10/07/2019

While the city, Chicago Public Schools and taxpayers are all at financial risk from Chicago Teachers Union demands, it is ultimately students who will pay the highest price if the union strikes for the third time in seven years.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, strike

Chicago Teachers Union uses students as pawns in political power play

By Austin Berg

10/07/2019

CTU will continue to fight with the mayor over the next two weeks. Whether they actually walk out remains to be seen. But their behavior has already revealed what union power politics is all about – and who pays the price.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Jesse Sharkey, strike, unions

CTU demands are an insult to average Chicago taxpayers

By Bill Reveille

10/03/2019

Property tax collections for Chicago Public Schools have grown nearly twice as fast as the typical Chicago household income.

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

Nearly 12K Illinois educators have stopped paying a teachers union

By Mailee Smith

10/02/2019

Educators across the state are exercising their rights, with 12,000 fewer public school employees sending dues or fees to teachers unions today than before the Janus v. AFSCME ruling.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, IEA, IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, labor, strike, unions

Chicago Teachers Union votes to strike for third time in 7 years

By Mailee Smith

10/01/2019

After rejecting an offer based on the recommendations of a neutral third-party report, Illinois’ largest teachers union voted to walk out on their students as soon as Oct. 7.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, Jesse Sharkey, labor, Lori Lightfoot, strike, unions

CTU votes to authorize strike: 6 things you need to know

By Mailee Smith

09/27/2019

Members of the Chicago Teachers Union have voted to authorize a strike, which could come as early as Oct. 7. Here are six things you should know.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Jesse Sharkey, labor, strike

CTU’s mayoral candidate lost, and now it won’t deal with the winner

By Mailee Smith

09/25/2019

Chicago Teachers Union backed Toni Preckwinkle for mayor of Chicago, donating nearly $300,000 to her campaign in 2019. But Lori Lightfoot won – and now CTU is threatening to go on strike despite being offered a generous deal.

TAGS: contract, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Lori Lightfoot, strike, Toni Preckwinkle, unions