My Union

Mayor Lightfoot’s new Board of Education has a lot of injustice to undo. From closures, staffing cuts and health care price gouging to overtesting and massive paperwork overload, CPS educators are fighting attack after attack. Join us at the next meeting of the mayor’s newly hand-picked board of education. Let them know our schools have real needs that must be addressed, remind them that the new mayor ran on an equity education platform that aligns with our needs and demands – and tell them that we need a fair contract now.

CTU members—including Bargaining Team members, and CTU District Organizers—will distribute leaflets and talk about our contract campaign with L riders at each of four locations. CTU members will take this contract fight straight to the parents and community members most affected by it. In that way, we’ll make clear that our fight for smaller class sizes, more staffing, wraparound services and fair pay and benefits will have a positive impact on our schools and communities.

Join CTU President Jesse Sharkey for an in-depth Q&A session on our contract demands. You’ll hear how we plan to win better pay and benefits. We’ll discuss our plan to fight for better conditions for students, educators and families. Also, smaller class sizes and full staffing will be on the agenda.

This event is essential if you want to win a better contract. On top of that, you’ll learn how members can organize their school to make our fight strong. Also, we’ll discuss how to make sure the contract isn’t just promises on paper, but gets enforced in every school.

Join us Saturday, August 10, as a member of the CTU contingent in the 90th Annual Bud Billiken Parade and Festival! This can’t-miss event draws students and their families from across the city as they get ready to return to school.

Having education-first roots, the parade takes place every second Saturday in August to kick off the school year with high energy and enthusiasm. The parade includes contests and participants are judged in categories like Best Float and Best Dance Team. At the end, all attendees are welcome to join additional fun in a post-parade festival.

As the largest African-American parade in the United States, the Bud Billiken Parade has grown into an institution with generational participation across the country. With a live broadcast on ABC7 Chicago, the parade is viewed and attended by more than a million people.

Look for the CTU float near the corner of 35th and King Drive to join us in the parade, and be sure to wear your union red!

Mayor Lightfoot’s new Board of Education has a lot of injustice to undo. From closures, staffing cuts and health care price gouging to overtesting and massive paperwork overload, CPS educators are fighting attack after attack. Join us at the next meeting of the mayor’s newly hand-picked board of education. Let them know our schools have real needs that must be addressed, remind them that the new mayor ran on an equity education platform that aligns with our needs and demands – and tell them that we need a fair contract now.

As CTU negotiates our next contract and prepares whatever action we need to get the school conditions, pay and benefits that our members and our students’ families deserve we can win big improvements if we unite. Chicago is changed for the better, our members played a huge role in that. Now we have the best opportunity in decades to roll back nearly 25 years of attacks, but those victories won’t come automatically.

The Southeast Side Labor Day Parade is our most immediate chance to show up strong and united before students return to our classrooms and halls.

CTU’s own Alderwoman Susan Sadlowski Garza and the Chicago Federation of Labor invite you to participate in the Southeast Side Labor Day Parade and Festival. This year’s parade will take place on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 10:30 am.

The Southeast Side Labor Day parade and festival is expected to bring residents, businesses, organizations, schools, unions and the greater community together to celebrate the accomplishments of hard working men and women. The Southeast Side historic Labor Day Parade and Festival was founded upon union pride and solidarity. Wear your red, show your CTU pride and support this tradition of working class solidarity. More information is available on the event’s Facebook page.