[caption id="attachment_11831" align="alignnone" width="640"] Nov. 28 walk-in at Acero Torres and Garcia schools.[/caption]

Chicago Teachers Union members at Acero charter schools have been in contract negotiations for the last six months, as their contract expired in early October. They have set a strike date of Tuesday, Dec. 4, in the battle to raise standards at Acero and across the charter industry, and undercut charter operators’ exploitation of public dollars for private gain. The following key demands are on the table.

• Lower class sizes
• Additional resources for special education students
• Paraprofessionals in all K-2 classrooms
• Salary schedule for paraprofessionals
• Path for paraprofessionals to become teachers
• Equal pay for equal work

These are demands that all CTU members can believe in, because challenging charter operators’ exploitation of low wage work raises the standard for all of us. It is critical that Acero members win these demands, and their success will have a direct impact as other CTU members at district schools begin to bargain for a new Chicago Public Schools contract.

Acero members voted 98 percent in favor of striking if a settlement cannot be reached, so we’re all rank-and-file members to help support your fellow CTU members. This Friday, Nov. 30, wear your CTU red to show your solidarity with Acero teachers and staff. Take an all-staff photo showing your support and send it to communications@ctulocal1.org with the subject line “Acero solidarity!”

On Monday, Dec. 3, join Acero educators as they lead an informational pickets as their schools from 7 a.m. to 7:25 a.m. Here is a list of sites:

Questions? Other creative ways to help? Click here to let us know!