Charter school headlines for the week of May 22, 2022
It’s been a busy week for CTU’s charter educators, who kicked off their unified contract campaign last week. We’ve got a report on that and other charter news.
In historic organizing drive, ChiArts teaching artists seek to join CTU
Stagnant wages, lack of job security or basic rights fuel push by artists – from voice teachers to video instructors – to join union with full-time educators. CHICAGO, April 20, 2022 — Since full-time teachers and paraprofessionals at ChiArts – the Chicago High School...Charter headlines for the week ending Sept. 10, 2021
Almost 90 percent of unionized charter schools have negotiated safety agreements with CTU that include testing, screening and increased staffing. CTU-ACTS has established a health insurance committee seeking to provide an improved and less expensive benefits package. And, after threats to close, Youth Connections Leadership Academy will remain open for another year.
Charter headlines for the week of May 31, 2021
Members at Urban Prep voted unanimously to strike unless management comes to the table with a more reasonable offer. CTU pressure pushed ASPIRA to retract non-renewal notices for Union members. Epic Academy terminated four of the most active CTU members on the bargaining team, prompting members to prepare to strike. Youth Connections Leadership Academy has reversed course on closing the school. CTU pushed the General Assembly to close a loophole that allowed ChiArts and other contract schools to skip contributions to the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund.
CTU educators resist substandard safety in reopening at ChiArts
CPS contract school refuses to set standards for ventilation, contact tracing, COVID testing, as COVID cases rise among students nationally. CHICAGO—School administrators at CPS contract school The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) waited until the last...
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.

Latino Youth HS settles, strike continues at charter operator Instituto’s schools
Latino Youth strikers win sanctuary protections, mental health support, restorative justice, culturally appropriate curricula for low-income, Latinx high school students, as strike at Instituto schools continues.

7A/1P TODAY: Friday actions to push management on financial shell games and demand fair contracts at three striking charter schools
7AM TODAY, May 3: Press conference/picket lines IHSCA, 2520 S. Western Ave., Chicago. (Picket lines at all three striking schools: IHSCA, IJLA, LYHS) 1PM TODAY, May 3: Rally and March IHSCA, 2520 S. Western Ave. Strikers will march to Instituto CEO’s office at...