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Responding to CPS ‘intent-to-return’ form, next steps in struggle for safe reopening and better remote learning
Dear fellow CTU members, As we get ready for a long holiday weekend, I wanted to update you on how every one of us can strengthen our struggle to improve remote learning and keep our members and students safe. That includes responding to the intent-to-return form that... read moreCharter school headlines for week of Nov. 16, 2020
The CTU New Organizing Committee met with charter school educators interested in unionizing. CTU members at Aspira are strategizing how to deal with colocation efforts. Acero Sped and ELL educators participated in a Know Your Rights training and are beginning to reach out to parents. Negotiations on our first contract with Epic are expected to begin after Thanksgiving
California dreaming
CPS has refused to bargain with the CTU over remote learning or return to in-person school, but educators in Los Angeles have been properly engaged by their school management. Maybe it’s because Los Angeles has an elected school board. Or, maybe, officials there realize you cannot run a school system without the workers.
Save our Clerks
Instead of honoring PSRPs’ right to a safe workplace, Lightfoot and the Board are defying an arbitrator’s ruling as well as the mayor’s own public health guidance to compel these PSRPs to work in unsafe buildings when they could be working remotely.
Mayor’s arbitrary date to reopen school buildings ignores COVID-19 surge, presents danger to Black and Brown families
Mayor Lori Lightfoot won’t lay out public health criteria for proposed return in January as daily COVID-19 infection average tops 2,300 — nearly six times higher than the district’s remote learning cut-off of 400 per day in July.
Waiting to Exhale
An independent arbitrator found that school buildings are unsafe and ordered that clerks and other staff should be allowed to work remotely at least four days a week. But the mayor decided she’s above the law and refused to abide by that ruling.
CTU launches GoFundMe campaign to aid clerks subject to retaliation
“Save Our Clerks” campaign to assist workers with basic needs is yet another example of educators and labor coming together to fill in gaps where others have fallen short.
Charter headlines for the week of Nov. 9
Namaste is the latest charter school to experience a COVID-19 outbreak. After months of negotiations, and a request for a mediator, we are seeing progress in CICS-Civitas talks. Instituto Health and Science Career Academy is hiring a psychologist to comply with the CTU contract. Three laid off special education apprentices have been recalled at Acero, after members organized against the layoffs.
LSC Election Guidance for School Staff
The 2020 LSC elections are taking place during report card pick-up for elementary on Wednesday, November 18 and for high school on Thursday, November 19 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. This election has obviously been hampered by the COVID-19 crisis, but CPS has also not handled it well.
Arbitrator again rules for remote work for clerks and tech cos as COVID-19 ravages our communities
In a 38-page final order, the independent arbitrator ruled that CPS clerks and other staff cannot be forced to work in unsafe buildings. We will be holding an emergency meeting with school clerks, technology coordinators and other rank-and-file members impacted by the arbitration opinion very soon.
‘Mediation’ for CPS means dodging safety obligations
CPS will only engage in mediation if they can walk away at any time, have no obligation to negotiate, are free to make decisions with no input from educators, parents, school communities. CHICAGO, Nov. 10, 2020—The Chicago Teachers Union issued the following statement...
Parents to CPS: Improve remote learning until virus under control
Polling memo shows overwhelming concern about reopening, as evidence grows of school transmissions in Illinois and across nation. Click this link to watch today's CTU/SEIU press conference. CHICAGO, Nov. 9, 2020—Chicago voters remain deeply concerned about the...
New poll shows parents favor improving remote learning until virus under control
Parents agree it's unsafe to return to in-person learning despite CPS plans to re-open as early as this month; unions consider mediation to land enforceable safety standards. 6:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 9: CTU/SEIU Local 73 press conference via Zoom. Reporters:...
Thank you, Black and Brown voters, for ending Trump’s war on democracy
Today we reflect, but tomorrow we get back to work and continue to push our leaders in fighting for the schools our students deserve.
Labor, grassroots groups demand legal votes of Black and Brown people be counted
Groups call for end to legal shenanigans designed to suppress the vote, as unions commit to take whatever non-violent action is required to ensure a free and fair election in which all votes are counted, and that ensures peaceful transition of power. 1:00 p.m.,...
Charter school headlines for the week of Nov. 2
CTU reached an agreement with Epic Academy that provides for remote learning through the second quarter, ending Feb. 4, 2021. The agreement also allows for “no stakes” observations. Finally, the union was able to negotiate 30 minutes on the clock for union meetings...
General CTU Announcement
Learn more about how CTU is working with Chicago Public Schools to make sure our schools are safe and secure. Learn more and take action to demand emergency response from CPS and the mayor.
Upcoming Events
Administrative Transfer Window
Teachers will be able to transfer schools for Spring 2021 without principal permission between November 22, 2020 and January 6, 2021.
