Bargaining for the Schools Chicago Students Deserve
Together, our union fights to win.
Contract Fight News
Thirty schools to receive extra staffing as needs grow from COVID-19, civil unrest
June 16, 2020
In a major contract win, the Chicago Teachers Union has finalized the process for 30 Chicago public schools to receive
Read more.
Social Media Connection
Find resources to share educators’ voices on what our schools need, what makes a fair contract and how we stand united and strong.
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Watch We Still Teach every Saturday at 11 a.m. on My50 Chicago for great lessons from some of our CTU educators and community partners!
It's no coincidence that people like Ken Griffin, Sam Zell and right-wing groups in Illinois have joined the Trump administration in threatening phantom tax cuts for the middle class. They continue to push falsehoods, while our union and allies share truth. Learn the real story behind the Fair Tax, and why it's for the many, not the few.
Less than 20 days from the start of the second quarter, and nothing from CPS and the mayor but disregard for an arbitrator’s ruling they know is legally binding.
CPS says clerks must report to work in person, despite labor ruling that questions COVID-19 protections in schools. CTU says the action ‘threatens jobs.’
For those who don't show up, “CPS will consider your absence unauthorized and proceed accordingly," an email to workers stated.
chicagotribune.com
Wishing the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. a happy birthday today! We are so grateful for the support he and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition family have shown our educators and communities over the years.
In all, 8,668 Illinois children ages 5 to 17 have tested positive for the virus from Aug. 15, when schools started to reopen, to Oct. 2, state health officials said.
Illinois confirms COVID-19 outbreaks in 44 schools this school year but won’t say where they occurred
Nearly two months into the school year, Illinois public health officials said they have verified COVID-19 outbreaks in at least 44 school buildings across the state, but they declined to say where those cases occurred and acknowledged they may not know the full scope of the virus’s spread in schoo...
chicagotribune.com
✅ Smaller Class Sizes
✅ More Counselors
✅ More Nurses
✅ Improved Special Education
✅ Increased Bilingual Education
✅ Sustainable Community Schools
The Fair Tax would raise $3 billion each year in Illinois, and a significant portion of that money goes to public schools. What could Illinois do for its students do with that money?
Learn more: ctulocal1.org/fair-tax #FairTaxNow
What We Are Fighting For
Our contracts and our unity give us the power to thwart administrators’ attempts to play us against one another and improve our working conditions so we can best serve our students’ needs. Together, in unity, we can win a better contract, better working conditions — and better schools.
Smaller Class Sizes
All students need individual attention from their teachers.
Fair Pay & Benefits
CPS needs to stop short-changing the people who make our schools work.
Fully Staffed Supports
We will not tolerate the continued elimination of essential positions.
Justice for Families
CTU fights for social justice in the areas of affordable housing, sanctuary schools, sustainable community schools, and restorative justice
Take Action
Whatever we do, we’ll do it together. You have a part to play.
All CTU members and supporters can show up and be heard at our events. CTU educators in the schools have a special role to play in uniting with coworkers and getting everyone strike ready. Whether we need to strike or not, our readiness shows the Board that, together, we’ll fight to win.
Resources
Our Union is powerful if we are united and organized.
Build Contract Action Teams, reach out to parents and community members, and wear red together every Friday. If we get strike ready, we can win a contract that will improve our schools and our lives.
Bargaining Timeline
The timeline below illuminates the path we’re taking, guided by two motivations:
- Union members in the schools drive the priorities of the campaign.
- We meet our legal obligations under the infamous Section 4.5 of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act (IELRA).
Follow the timeline see where we are and where we’re going as we lead up to a potential strike and/or the resolution we’re seeking in a fair contract.
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Use Your Teacher Voice
Every voice matters—including yours. No-one can tell your story or your school’s story like you can. Send the CTU a brief (15-30 second) video about what your classroom and school needs, and what your students could achieve if those needs were met. We’re composing an anthem—and every voice lifted and singing this tune amplifies our mighty chorus.
District Contract Bargaining Q&A
As we bargain a new contract for nearly 25,000 teachers, clinicians and PSRPs, many wonder where this process is going and what to expect. No one here has a crystal ball, but what we can answer, we have answered in this Q&A page.
General CTU Announcement
CTU Speaks! Podcast
Our new podcast, CTU Speaks! is hosted by Andrea Parker and Jim Staros. We’ll chat about our union, enforcing our contract, and our fight for the schools our children and educators deserve.
