Chicago Teachers Union commends lawmakers for passage of Charter Neutrality Bill

CHICAGO—The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) Thursday commended the Illinois General Assembly for passing a bill that protects Illinois educators from intimidation, retaliation and interference when they organize to join a union in privately operated charter schools, a move that will help educators improve the teaching and learning conditions in their schools. The legislation, HB 1120, requires charter school operators taking public school funding to include a labor neutrality clause as part of its school authorization. Under such a clause, an employer agrees to refrain from opposing or taking a position on union organizing by their employees.

Acero Educators Demand Fair Contract

Acero Educators Demand Fair Contract

On Wednesday, more than 100 educators will join forces with parents, students, and community members to demand a safe, supportive, and more sustainable educational community from the Acero Charter Schools, which are located throughout the city of Chicago in primarily Latine neighborhoods. The Wednesday rally and press conference comes on the same day as the Charter’s April board meeting.

The CTU Stands in Solidarity with the Striking Faculty and Staff of the CSU, GSU and EIU

The CTU Stands in Solidarity with the Striking Faculty and Staff of the CSU, GSU and EIU

CHICAGO — Chicago Teachers Union President and Illinois Federation of Teachers Executive Vice President Stacy Davis Gates issued the following statement in solidarity with striking higher education faculty and staff throughout Illinois: “Every day, the hardworking faculty and staff from CSU, EIU and GSU arrive at their college campuses committed to uplifting, empowering and educating their students. While being some of the lowest-paid professionals among similar institutions in Illinois, many educators have remained in service to their students because they believe in the promise of a better tomorrow.”

The CTU Stands in Solidarity with the Striking Faculty and Staff of the CSU, GSU and EIU

The CTU Stands in Solidarity with the Striking Faculty and Staff of the Chicago State University

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates issued the following statement in solidarity with striking faculty and staff at Chicago State University, who walked out today after nearly a year of bargaining without results: “Inspired by their bravery, strength and willingness to sacrifice, we at the Chicago Teachers Union stand united with our union siblings on strike today at Chicago State University.

Statement on Arne Duncan’s Endorsement of Paul Vallas

CHICAGO — Former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, Arne Duncan, never had the juice to run for Mayor of this great city. Yet, he clearly thinks he can influence how voters in the city vote in the upcoming election. As Vallas’s former partner-in-crime in destabilizing New Orleans’ public schools — through policies, actions, words and deeds — today’s endorsement of Vallas by former Education Secretary Duncan should not be a surprise. Arne Duncan called Hurricane Katrina in 2005 “the best thing that happened to the education system in New Orleans.”

SEIU Local 73 and the Chicago Teachers Union Support Striking LAUSD Workers

SEIU Local 73 and the Chicago Teachers Union Support Striking LAUSD Workers

The fight against unfair labor practices in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) began in earnest on Tuesday, March 21, with 30,000 school workers walking off the job. These workers, represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 99, encompass the support staff across the entire school district. LAUSD’s continued disrespect, and their inability to care properly for the workers who make their mission possible, has also led to a solidarity strike by the 35,000 teachers represented by United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA). SEIU Local 73 and the Chicago Teachers Union are therefore proud to share our message of solidarity with SEIU Local 99 and UTLA.