Striking nurses, auto workers show the path forward to dignity for all
Another charter strike looms in Chicago as district educators ready for strike authorization vote next week, part of a wave of labor actions that seek to bargain for the common good. CHICAGO, September 19, 2019—CTU President Jesse Sharkey issued the following...
Sunday bargaining update, 9/22 tele-town hall, and next steps
Dear Members: Bargaining has increased in frequency, but has not broken through, as CPS continues to avoid movement on key substantive issues. CPS made proposals this week about decreasing teacher directed prep time, increasing testing, and rolling back important wins...
CTU and SEIU 73 need your creative art-design support
CTU and SEIU 73 are holding a community Art Build for public education in early October: Friday, October 4, 5:00pm-10:00pm; Saturday, October 5, 10:00am-10:00pm; and Sunday, October 6, 10:00am-7:00pm at CTU Center. The Art Build is modeled after recent public education/Red for Ed art builds in Los Angeles (UTLA) and Oakland (OEA).
CPS needs checks and balances to protect students
Blistering DOE report and oversight is no guarantee that lack of accountability will end. CHICAGO, September 12, 2019—CTU Vice President Stacy Davis Gates issued the following statement in response to the federal Department of Education’s report on CPS’...
Remembering 9-11
Firefighters and other first responders still need our help — and our support in Chicago. CHICAGO, September 11, 2019—CTU President Jesse Sharkey issued the following statement on the anniversary of 9-11: “Today, we remember the lives lost on 9-11—the...
9/10/19: An update from today’s bargaining session
Dear all: Last week at the House of Delegates meeting, I told folks that Mayor Lightfoot had reached out. Today, we met. It was our first face to face meeting. My takeaways: It seems the mayor is willing to talk about issues—but it is unclear if she is willing to...
Bargaining Update for September 10, 2019
Dear CTU Members: I hope your first week back to school went well! If it didn’t, the union wants to hear about it, so reach out to your field rep with issues. Our push for a fair contract continues—we’ve scheduled three bargaining sessions this week....
Marca Bristo, movement-builder
Activist led with vision and principle. CHICAGO, September 10, 2019—CTU President Jesse Sharkey issued the following statement on the death of Marca Bristo: The Chicago Teachers Union was saddened to learn of the passing of Marca Bristo, a fearless advocate of...
Your employee handbook is not a contract
Please share your school’s employee handbook with your field rep and bring anything you have questions about to their attention.
Solidarity for School Communities!
The CTU House of Delegates last night voted overwhelmingly to authorize a Sept. 24-26 strike vote as we continue to campaign for a fair contract for district-run public schools. Tomorrow, we need members to reach out to parents at their schools for one-on-one...
CTU delegates vote unanimously to set date for strike authorization vote
Despite over a billion dollars in annual new revenue, few improvements – and many cuts – hammer hundreds of schools on first day of school. CHICAGO, September 4, 2019—While CPS is raking in more than $1 billion in new annual dollars this year, too many students...
IFT: Don’t be fooled by “fake news!”
The Illinois Federation of Teachers has compiled this list of illegitimate “news” sources. Use good judgement and check sources when you see something suspicious in the news.
Bargaining update: What’s on the table—and what must improve
An update on bargaining last week: We presented on issues that include REACH—proposing that highly rated (Proficient and Excellent), tenured members should be able to skip an evaluation cycle. We also presented moving to 25 steps for pay scales, and improving base pay...
As students return to school, time for mayor settle a fair contract
5:00 a.m. Tues., Sept. 3: Press conference Juarez high school, 1450 W. Cermak Rd., Chicago High school loses $840,000 and nine teaching positions among hundreds of schools confronting budget cuts in new $7.7 billion CPS budget. CHICAGO—As students return for the first...
Labor Day: The backbone of our city is our workers
Labor unions anchor the commitment to bargain for the common good. CHICAGO, September 2, 2019—CTU President Jesse Sharkey issued the following statement today to mark Labor Day: Today we honor the working women and men who literally built this nation—the workers who...CTU Teacher Leadership Program
Are you interested in how school policy is made and imposed on schools? Would you like to make that process work differently? Would you like to engage in a professional development experience that goes beyond what is typically offered?
The letter CPS SHOULD have sent to members on August 28
Download and share a copy of this corrected letter. Dear Colleagues, Today, we are pleased to announce that the Chicago Board of Education approved our proposed budget for FY2020 that reflects our continued financial stability and invests responsibly in the...
Mayor must declare TIF surplus, reinstate corporate head tax to tackle city budget issues
Mayor should seize available funding—and use it for the common good. CHICAGO, August 29, 2019—CTU President Jesse Sharkey issued the following statement today in response to Mayor Lightfoot’s public address on the City’s budget deficit: CTU has long...
CTU to ask board to delay vote on budget until funds are allocated more equitably
9:30 a.m. Wed., August 28: Press conference CPS headquarters, 42 W. Madison, Chicago $7.7 billion budget cuts funds to over 200 schools, fails to address acute staffing shortages, overcrowding, students’ educational and support needs. CHICAGO—CTU members will...
President Sharkey welcomes educators back to a new school year
As most CTU members return to work, President Jesse Sharkey shared this message of welcome and solidarity with our members.
CTU rejects factfinder report as CPS balks at putting promises to improve schools in writing
CPS has yet to meaningfully address union proposals to alleviate critical staff shortages, hundreds of overcrowded classrooms and desperate resource shortages in school communities. Watch today’s press conference; download detailed explanation of rejection and...
7A Mon. 8/26: CTU to formally respond to factfinder report, lay out next steps as union readies for strike
7:00 a.m. Monday., August 26: Press conference with CTU bargaining team Suder Montessori School, 2022 W Washington Blvd, Chicago Third round of mayorally imposed factfinding shows rigged nature of process, failure to address critical student needs and deteriorating...
IL Governor’s signing of legislation sets needed wage floor for teachers across state
Legislation sets minimum wage standards pegged to cost of living for underpaid public educators. CHICAGO, August 22, 2019—Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey issued the following statement today in response to Governor Pritzker’s signing of...
Tuesday, August 20, 3:45P – CTU to testify in opposition to CPS budget cuts
3:45 p.m. TODAY, Tues, Aug. 20: Press conference, CPS/BOE budget hearings CPS central offices, 42 W. Madison, Chicago CTU officers, rank and file to testify against proposed budget cuts to schools, frontline staff Proposed FY 2020 CPS budget cuts funding to hundreds...General CTU Announcement
Fighting for Fair Contracts
CTU is fighting for quality pay and benefits (including health care), full staffing in our schools, smaller class sizes and justice for students and families. Get updates and resources for our contract fights here.
