Charter school headlines for the week of Jan. 11, 2021
Acero and Passages charter schools are delaying reopening for in-person instruction until a series of scientific COVID metrics are met. Namaste has agreed to bargain over reopening and CTU reached an agreement with Epic Academy to reduce the extra hours members had been required to work, without pay, for parent teacher conferences.
Charter school headlines for the week of Dec. 6, 2020
CTU members at Namaste are cautiously optimistic that their organizing against in-person instruction has paid off. Educators at Epic Academy kicked off negotiations this week on their first collective bargaining agreement. Acero parents and teachers continue to fight staff layoffs. And everyone is wondering where Urban Prep’s $1.2 million in federal stimulus loans went because it hasn’t shown up in classrooms.
Charter headlines for the week of Nov. 9
Namaste is the latest charter school to experience a COVID-19 outbreak. After months of negotiations, and a request for a mediator, we are seeing progress in CICS-Civitas talks. Instituto Health and Science Career Academy is hiring a psychologist to comply with the CTU contract. Three laid off special education apprentices have been recalled at Acero, after members organized against the layoffs.

Charter school headlines for the week of Oct. 26
CTU leaders from Acero are fighting layoffs. The CTU New Organizing Committee and the Union’s Charter Division are both taking big steps. Meanwhile, Epic Academy and Namaste Charter School have each made important new agreements with the Union.
Petition for Acero Special Education Staff
In this extraordinary time, the Acero network has made a choice to dramatically cut Special Education jobs. Sign the petition to demand Acero reverse their cruel cuts.
Acero parents outraged at special ed cuts during pandemic
Rolling back supports for special education students represents a betrayal of charter operator’s commitment to improve special ed services in wake of historic 2018 strike. 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 6: Press conference, Acero parents and special education...
CTU bargaining update
CTU President Jesse Sharkey with a bargaining update for our rank-and-file members, and an overview of Union goals, campaigns and priorities as we move toward spring.

CTU members overwhelmingly ratify UNO/Acero tentative agreement
CTU rank and file at 15 charter schools vote overwhelmingly to approve contract in wake of first strike of charter operator in U.S. history. CHICAGO—CTU teachers and paraprofessionals in the Acero/Uno charter network have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new contract...CTU strikers reach tentative agreement with UNO/Acero management
Strike is suspended, and teachers and paraprofessionals will return to class Monday. 1 PM TODAY, Sunday, Dec. 9: Press conference and rally with Acero strikers, parents, allies. CTU HQ, 1901 W. Carroll, Chicago