Acero Educators Overwhelmingly Ratify New Contract, While Struggle With Other Operators Intensifies

CHICAGO–Fully 98% of educators at Acero ratified a new contract on June 8, ushering in a new era for the operator and its relationship with educators, their students and the educational community it serves. Also this week, 96% of educators at Chicago International Charter School (CICS) and 94% of educators at Christopher House voted to authorize a strike in the event that they can’t secure a fair agreement at the bargaining table. “This agreement stands as a model for what can be done when educators, school-related personnel, and management come together to do what is best for the students and families that they serve,” said CTU President Stacy Davis Gates.

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.

CTU Passages charter strikers to protest charter operator greed at high-rent fundraiser

CTU Passages charter strikers to protest charter operator greed at high-rent fundraiser

6:00 p.m.: Picket/press conference, Passages charter teachers at charter operator’s ‘gala’ fundraiser, 825 W. Erie Charter CEO makes same $250,00 salary to run one school as CPS CEO makes to run over 500, in naked example of operator self-enrichment...
Mayor puts brick on progress in bargaining as 4th charter strike this year begins

Mayor puts brick on progress in bargaining as 4th charter strike this year begins

6:30 a.m. TODAY, Tuesday, Oct. 22: Picket lines go up at 500+ Chicago public schools SEE BELOW for full schedule/locations/times Mayor blocks any additional movement at table, as Sen. Elizabeth Warren, AFT President Randi Weingarten come to support strikers and...
CTU Passages charter strikers to protest charter operator greed at high-rent fundraiser

CTU president to join charter teachers as Passages announces strike date

7:00 a.m., Thurs. Oct. 10: Sharkey, charter teachers to announce strike date Passages charter school, 1643 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago CEO for lone CPS-funded charter earns equal to CPS CEO who oversees 500+ schools, as management undermines special ed, English...