Press Release Archives | Chicago Teachers Union

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: To honor her memory is to continue in the struggle for justice

By Chris Geovanis | September 18, 2020 | News, Press Release
File under: Chicago Teachers Union, CTU, Jesse Sharkey, Ruth Bader Ginsburg

As a supreme court justice, Ginsburg interpreted the Constitution as a living document, an approach that has won marginalized groups rights they had been denied for generations. CHICAGO, September 18, 2020—Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey issued the...

Educators to report on challenges, successes as remote learning enters third week

By Chris Geovanis | September 18, 2020 | News, Press Release
File under: COVID, COVID-19, Remote Learning, school clerks, technical coordinators

Frontline educators continue to demand that CPS improve unworkable, poorly designed remote learning plans that fall woefully short in supporting students, families. 7:00 a.m., Mon., Sept. 21: Press conference, rank and file educators and support staff Via Zoom: You...

CTU argues in landmark civil rights case that CPS practiced systemic racism in layoffs

By CTU Communications | September 16, 2020 | News, Press Release
File under: civil rights, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Jesse Sharkey, Layoffs, Stacy Davis Gates

Union argues that 2011 layoffs targeted Black educators in segregated schools even as district policies continue to decimate ranks of Black teachers and support staff. CHICAGO, September 16, 2020—For almost ten years, the CTU has been battling CPS in federal court on...

Trial tackles CTU effort to bar CPS from forcing school clerks back into buildings under unsafe conditions

By CTU Communications | September 16, 2020 | News, Press Release
File under: COVID, COVID-19, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Jesse Sharkey, school clerks

CPS admits COVID cases among CPS workers have tripled since May, with hundreds of school workers contracting COVID-19—and at least eight now dead—despite working in lightly populated buildings with very limited staff. CHICAGO, September 16, 2020—The Chicago Teachers...

Charter operator moves to unilaterally close ChicagoQuest HS, with no input from families or staff

By CTU Communications | September 14, 2020 | ACTS, News, Press Release
File under: charter operator, ChicagoQuest, CICS: Chicago International Charter Schools

Chicago International Charter School board continues to balk at providing a portion of $35 million in public education dollars to support long under-resourced school serving Black and Brown families 3:45 p.m., Tues., Sept. 15: Press availability, CICS educators Via...

CTU, Fox32/My50 partner to put teachers on television to support families during remote learning

By CTU Communications | September 10, 2020 | News, Press Release
File under: COVID, COVID-19, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, We Still Teach

#WeStillTeach TV returns on September 19, connecting Chicago’s dynamic teaching force with families learning together at home. CHICAGO, September 10, 2020—The Chicago Teachers Union continues its partnership with Fox32/My50 to broadcast teacher-led educational...

CTU prepares for Wed. hearing on CPS labor violations, as CTU teachers start school year with hopes, concerns

By CTU Communications | September 8, 2020 | News, Press Release
File under: COVID-19, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Lauren Kullman, Lori Lightfoot, Nina Hite, Paula Barajas, ULP

Teachers pull back curtain on remote classrooms, as CTU plans for Labor Board hearing on refusal of Mayor’s school board to bargain on strategies to safeguard workers. 10:00 a.m., Wed., Sept. 9: Hearing, IL Educational Labor Relations Board Via Webex: link here....

Educators: Our school buildings are open—and unsafe

By CTU Communications | September 1, 2020 | News, Press Release
File under: COVID, COVID-19, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, Remote Learning

Reports from rank-and-file Chicago Teachers Union members reveal vast gaps in personal protective equipment (PPE), safety and cleaning, with exactly a week before the Sept. 8 start of classes in Chicago Public Schools.

Clerks need COVID safety protocols before returning to buildings

By CTU Communications | August 26, 2020 | News, Press Release
File under: COVID-19, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Jesse Sharkey, Lori Lightfoot

CPS officials admit they have no full safety plan in place, nor is CPS ready to train workers on proper safety protocols, despite their demand that school clerks return to in-person work in school buildings today. After months of pressure from the Chicago Teachers...