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Additional CPS funding falls far short of meeting classroom, contract needs
With Chicago Public Schools still around $2 billion from adequacy, deficiencies in this budget point to the district’s failure to recognize the real needs of its students.
read moreMendoza cements Lightfoot’s role as Rahm’s heir apparent
Machine politician's endorsement of Lightfoot comes as growing number of #RahmsCoalition members jack up campaign contributions and political backing for corporate attorney. CHICAGO—Susana Mendoza, who was elected with outgoing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on his 2011...
read moreCTU to rally for fair contracts for charter educators, announce strike vote dates
With 13 schools bargaining with seven operators, charter educators are demanding fair pay and benefits, wraparound supports for students, adequately resourced classrooms.
read moreAlderman Lopez targets teachers for ‘electioneering’ in wake of poor forum performance
In move that one teacher calls ‘Trumpish’, Lopez targets teachers in electioneering complaint after students ask him hard questions at aldermanic forums.
read moreSharkey: “Grave concerns about Lori Lightfoot’s plans for our schools”
Mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot has no record of leadership in public education, yet has presented a number troubling issues for Chicago teachers, clinicians, paraprofessionals and education support staff.
read moreCTU stands with CSO strikers as Mabie and fellow board members wage war on pensions for musicians and teachers
Wealthy CSO board treasurer James Mabie co-founded ChiArts high school—and both outfits refuse to fund workers' pensions. CHICAGO—Finance executives have salivated for decades at the prospect of getting their hands on workers' retirement nest eggs and the high fees...
read moreWith less than two weeks until Election Day, support CTU-endorsed candidates
When it comes to public education, Toni Preckwinkle is the best choice for mayor.
read moreScraps for schools comes with distorted priorities, huge handouts to wealthy developers
Emanuel's token funding for schools cannot erase injustice of multi-billion dollar handouts to wealthy developers, academy project jammed through over community opposition, as Black male youth are pushed out of CPS—or die—before they can graduate. CHICAGO, March 19,...
read moreUIC, give your graduate workers a fair contract
For more than a year, management has rejected living wages or fee waivers for its most critical frontline workers, the highly skilled teaching assistants and graduate assistants who anchor UIC’s mission. CHICAGO, March 19, 2019—CTU President Jesse Sharkey issued the...
read moreCTU bargaining update
CTU President Jesse Sharkey with a bargaining update for our rank-and-file members, and an overview of Union goals, campaigns and priorities as we move toward spring.
read moreChico and Vallas and their corporate mayoral candidate
Lightfoot’s willingness to embrace worst predators in public school space underscores her unfitness for office. CHICAGO, March 14, 2019—Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey issued the following statement today in wake of the announcement that public...
read moreWe stand with striking musicians
Any attack on the right to a retirement with dignity is wrong – whether it’s at a school like ChiArts, which is training the next generation of artists or a world class institution like the CSO, where our students aspire to perform one day, says CTU. CHICAGO, March...
read more7AM, Tues.: Teachers to oppose CPS test that undercuts newly arrived immigrant children
Forcing non-English-speaking students to take high-stakes test robs children of valuable learning time and undercuts students’ education, charge teachers, who urge CPS to support parents who want to opt out their children. CHICAGO—A third of Chicago’s public school...
read moreProtest, 4:30P Monday, 3/11: ChiArts management locks public out of board meeting as contract talks drag
Press conference: 4:30PM Monday, March 11 ChiArts High School, 2714 W. Augusta Blvd., Chicago Teachers to rally to demand fair contract as CTU members mull strike at ChiArts, what would be first strike of a publicly funded contract school in U.S. history....
read moreCampaign donation exposes who Lightfoot will really serve: wealthy elites and education privatizers
Lightfoot campaign wins backing from same corporate player that embraced Emanuel austerity agenda and Republican education voucher scheme. CHICAGO—CTU President Jesse Sharkey issued the following statement today after mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot picked up her...
read moreEducators, families, community groups to protest today demanding that Ald. Cappleman cancel Thursday’s Zoning Committee Vote on Lincoln Yards
CPS parents, students and teachers call on 46th Ward Ald. James Cappleman to cancel vote on Lincoln Yards project by rubber stamp City Council and let Chicagoans weigh in on the $1.3 billion decision when they vote in April 2 run-off election.
read moreThe Schools Chicago’s Students Deserve 2.0
This 2018 update to CTU’s 2012 report provides a counter-narrative to the corporate agenda on education and highlights the role of CTU’s campaigns, including for contracts, in fighting it.
