News and Notes
Sept. 29: LEAD dinner honorees Mayor Johnson, Randi Weingarten announced
You don’t want to miss this year’s Legislators and Educators Appreciation Dinner — LEAD — as we honor our union brother Mayor Brandon Johnson and our AFT President Randi Weingarten. Get your tickets today and join CTU members, elected officials and our community allies for an evening of celebration and coalition-building. It’s never been more important to celebrate our political power. Sept. 29, 4:30 p.m. social hour, 5:30 p.m. dinner at the CTU Center. Tickets are on sale now, get yours today!
Support the CTU PAC, our tool to organize for political change
Thanks to our collective efforts and the dedication of our members, we did what the pundits said couldn’t be done — elect a union brother, a teacher, a CPS parent mayor of Chicago. Beating the billionaires and business interests for this historic achievement was only possible by thousands of rank-and-file members organizing in our communities and pooling our resources by supporting the CTU Political Action Committee (PAC). Learn more and support your union’s political organizing today.
ChiArts Agreement Passes Unanimously
After narrowly averting a strike, CTU members at Chicago High School for the Arts voted today on the tentative agreement reached last week with ChiArts management. Members at ChiArts voted to approve the new agreement with 100 percent of ballots cast reading YES! It brings major wins in clinician and substitute teacher staffing, parity with CPS salaries, and groundbreaking new LGBTQ+ protections for staff and students, and restores arts programing after management started the year with 30% cuts. Congratulations to our CTU siblings at ChiArts, especially the nearly 70 arts educators who will be covered by a union contract for the first time!
COVID sick days update and clarification
As of your Sept. 8 paycheck, all CPS bargaining unit members should have received two additional sick days as a result of our COVID litigation settlement. It should show on your paystub as follows: AduCTUSCK. This is another example of how the shift in political landscape is bringing progress with CPS and benefiting members.
Additionally, we were able to get CPS to agree to extend the Public Health Emergency (“PHE”) sick leave benefit for confirmed cases of COVID-19 through the end of the 2023-2024 school year. This benefit also applies to employees who need to stay home to care for a CPS elementary or high school child who must isolate after a positive COVID test. For further clarification, please see the updated 2023-2024 CPS Pay and Benefits Guidance.
CTU Policy Fellowship – Apply now, deadline extended!
Led by CTU members and supported by our national union, the AFT, the CTU Policy Fellowship provides members an opportunity to expand advocacy and leadership skills, meet with researchers and decision-makers in Chicago and Illinois, and support our union’s vital work. Educators, PSRPs, clinicians, tech coordinators, substitute teachers and ACTS division members are strongly encouraged to apply. Read more and apply by Sept. 18.
Election to fill vacancies on the CTU Executive Board
Nominations to fill six vacant slots on the CTU Executive Board will be taken at the Sept. 27 House of Delegates meeting and the election will be held at the Nov. 1 meeting. Read more.
Oct. 11: NBCT Information Session
Recruitment begins in October for the 2024-2026 Nurturing Teacher Leadership National Board Certification cohort. CTUF will host a virtual information meeting on Oct. 11, 5 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, contact LynnCherkasky-Davis@ctuf.org or register for the NTL information session here.
We’re hiring: Green schools organizer
The green schools organizer will work full time with labor, environmental, and community allies to sustain and expand a grassroots Green Schools Campaign in Chicago for the next year (with possibility of extension). The organizer will play a key role in building our coalition, strengthening the climate jobs movement, and ensuring green and healthy schools for students and school workers across Chicago. Learn more and apply.
Features
From educator to school nurse, the smiles and love are the same for Jonlyn Miller
Before becoming a nurse, Jonlyn Miller tried her hand at education with Teach for America. But she quickly became disillusioned with the program and earned her nursing degree instead. Now, as a health services nurse, Miller finds the same kind of joy she experienced as an educator. Read more about Jonlyn.
Member Corner
Happy birthday to CTU retiree Lillie Davis, who celebrates her 96th turn around the sun this week. Lillie taught third grade at Lazaro Cardenas Elementary school for 35 years, retiring in 1993. Thank you, Lillie for your dedication and loyal service to CPS students and families!
Do you have a special CTU member you’d like to shout out to your colleagues? Send their story to communications@ctulocal1.org and we’ll consider it for an upcoming Members Corner.
Events
Sept. 12: Bring Chicago Home Webinar
Sept. 14 on Zoom: Class size questions answered
Sept. 14: Starbucks Workers United Solidarity Season
In less than two years, workers at over 350 Starbucks stores across the country have unionized, but Starbucks is waging a fierce union busting campaign. Come out and show your support for Starbucks workers before work Thursday. Find an action at a store near you.
Mexican Independence Day Parade
Join the CTU contingent in the 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade on Saturday, September 16. We will meet at 11 a.m. and the parade steps off at noon. Wear your CTU red and show up with orgullo mexicano! RSVP to join us in the parade at ctulocal1.org/mx.
In the News
- The Chicago Teachers Union Won Big. What Comes Next? | In These Times
- Head of the class: 33-year-old new Ed Board president praised for ‘thoughtful, insightful’ leadership | Sun-Times
- These Kids Started Their Own Newspaper — And Want You To Read More Local News | Block Club
- Chicago Public Schools is becoming less low-income. Here’s why that matters. | Chalkbeat
- Most Americans support giving all kids free breakfast and lunch at school, new poll finds | Chalkbeat
CTUF Quest Center
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For more CTU news and updates, please visit our website at www.ctulocal1.org, and follow us on Facebook (including our members only Facebook group), Instagram and Twitter.
