Winter Vacation Pay for New Hires
CTU members hired by CPS this year received only three days winter vacation pay, instead of their normal four days pay, due to the 11 days of work lost by this year’s strike.
CTU/Illinois Federation of Teachers LGBTQ curriculum task force
The Illinois Federation of Teachers task force is advising the Illinois State Board of Education as the Board implements HB246, the LGBTQ Inclusive Curriculum Bill. The new law goes into effect for the 2020-2021 school year, so educators and school staff are working...
Why we fight, how we win: CTU statement on moratorium on 606 developments
Let this action serve as the beginning of a positive trend that halts the exodus of families from Chicago, and allows our schools to develop programs that support every child’s chance to succeed.
Grievance wins improve school safety and facilities + REACH arbitration
A strong contract is only as good as its enforcement, and that process is what ensures our safety and security long after a strike.
Notice of Election for Elementary Functional Vice President
Two candidates, Paula Barajas of Ruiz Elementary and Theresa Hen of Garvey Elementary, were nominated for Functional Vice President of Elementary School Teachers at the January 8, 2020 House of Delegates meeting. At the February 5, 2020 House of Delegates meeting…
Health care wins and personal business rulings from CTU-CPS arbitration
Despite challenges around personal business days and the difficulty the Union has in combating CPS resistance to these cases, we continue to see arbitration victories for our members. Also, our new contract has yielded some significant improvements in certain aspects of our health insurance coverage.
Does CPS still include coat closets in its ‘utilization’ algorithm?
The CPS space utilization formula has been reshaped to close, co-locate or build new schools based on neighborhoods that real estate developers covet.
January 2020 CTU Endorsements for Illinois March 17, 2020 Election
The CTU House of Delegates voted at its January 8, 2020 House of Delegates meeting to make 10 endorsements for the March 17, 2020 election in addition to the seven endorsements it made at its December meeting.
Resolution for Black Lives Matter at School Week of February 3-7, 2020
The Chicago Teachers Union House of Delegates passed the following resolution at its January 8, 2020 meeting.
Erroneous notice from CPS RE: uncashed checks
Members might have received a letter from Chicago Public Schools alerting them of one or more uncashed checks that were issued to you (sample notice below). We have reached out to CPS to inquire whether these notices should have been sent and requesting additional...
Notice of Election to Fill PSRP, Clinician and Citywide Teacher Delegate Vacancies
Nominations to fill Citywide Teacher, PSRP and Clinician Delegate vacancies will be held at the Chicago Teachers Union, 1901 W. Carroll Avenue on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 and Wednesday, January 15, 2020.
Update on retroactive pay, veteran pay and outstanding strike issues
After fighting on picket lines for 11 days—six of them unpaid—we still had to fight Chicago Public Schools for wages and benefits already earned. Here is where we stand as we enter Winter Break.
Take Action: Demand CPS honor our bargain
CPS is illegally reneging on its deal. Our 11-day strike forced CPS to recognize the contributions of its veteran teachers, among other improvements. As soon as CTU members voted to ratify the agreement, however, the district broke our deal and demanded that most of the $25 million be paid in one-time lump sum bonuses rather than be added to veteran teachers’ base salaries, costing them thousands of dollars in salary increases over the course of their careers because their base salaries won’t increase. CPS didn’t want to pay its veteran teachers fairly, and now it’s retaliating against them for being among the longest-tenured and most dedicated workers in our schools.
Displaced Black educators call on CPS to settle civil rights lawsuits
Black educators will hold a press conference today to discuss the Union’s pending federal class-action lawsuits against Chicago Public Schools that challenge the district’s 2011 layoffs and school turnaround actions from 2006 to present.
Personal business and make-up day case rulings from CTU-CPS arbitration
In the wake of challenges around personal business (PB) days and our efforts in bargaining to consolidate and get Chicago Public Schools to stop fighting these cases, there have been several recent arbitration victories for Chicago Teachers Union members.
Advanced step placement for outside teaching experience
For years, the Union has been advocating for the Board of Ed to give credit for more years of outside teaching and relevant work experience, which is now subject to change.
How to avoid 2020 being another year of strikes? Invest in public education.
It’s clear why teachers across the country have gone on strike after strike after strike, and that’s to save one of our country’s hallmark institutions: public education. The way forward is to invest in public education.
Reflections on my visit with educators at new Englewood STEM High School
I found a group of tremendously dedicated educators who want to be partners in their school’s growth, but instead, they’re being bullied and taken advantage of.
School closings—district, charter or otherwise—are bad for children
The proposed closure of Chicago Virtual and Frazier Preparatory Academy charter schools is an admission of failure by the district, and a continued attack on the lives of the city’s Black and Brown children.
Election to Fill Vacancies on the CTU Executive Board
There is one (1) vacancy to fill an unexpired term on the CTU Executive Board: One (1) Elementary School Teacher Functional Vice President. The procedure is as follows…
December 2019 early endorsements for March 17, 2020, primary elections
The House of Delegates voted to confirm these recommended endorsements at its December 4, 2019 meeting. More endorsements may be made at a later date.
CTU Resolution in Solidarity with Striking Teachers in Chile
The Executive Board passed this resolution at its November 25, 2019 meeting and the House of Delegates subsequently passed it at its December 4, 2019 meeting.
CTU remembers the Rev. Dr. Clay Evans
Our union sends condolences to the Rev. Dr. Clay Evans’ friends and family, as well as to the clergymen and clergywomen he has influenced. Our lives are greater because of his work.
CTU addresses the Chicago Public Schools 2020-2021 school closing plan
So this is how a school—one with more than 40 years of history that includes a state champion girls basketball team, multiple city champion debate teams, a featured role in the video for a single on a Grammy-nominated album and myriad positive impacts on thousands of students and families’ lives—officially ends?
Nine CTU members due in court for arrests at Sterling Bay/Lincoln Yards strike action
Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1 p.m.: Preliminary hearing for nine CTU members Cook County Criminal Court, 3150 W. Flournoy St., Chicago Members will hold a press availability immediately after court. CHICAGO, Nov. 27, 2019—Nine Chicago Teachers Union members are due in Cook...General CTU Announcement
Administrative Transfer Window
Teachers were able to transfer schools for Spring 2020 without principal permission between November 15, 2019 and January 2, 2020. Teachers can still transfer if released by their principal. The next administrative transfer window will be later this spring for transfers in Fall 2020.
