Chicago Teachers Union Contract Negotiations Cause Rift With Other School Employee Unions
Principals Worry Their Role In School Decisions Will Shrink
The Chicago Teachers Union’s contentious contract negotiations have already spurred a major clash between district leaders and Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office and endangered CEO Pedro Martinez’ role. Now, the teachers union’s demands for a significant expansion of CTU-represented positions and of educators’ say over school matters are pitting that union against two other district labor groups: The Chicago Principals and Administrators Association and the Service Employees International Union 73, a longtime CTU ally.
The principals union, which is in the midst of negotiating its first contract with CPS, wrote a letter this week to the Board of Education saying some CTU proposals would trample on principals’ authority to run schools. Meanwhile, the Service Employees International Union 73, which represents support staff at schools, has voiced concern over a CTU demand it says will take work away from its members — and threatened to sue the district if it approves the proposal.
SEIU Says CTU Demands Will Hurt Its Members
Other CTU proposals have threatened a rift with SEIU Local 73. A recently amended contract proposal by the Chicago Teachers Union would give the district more flexibility to choose between teacher assistants, represented by the CTU, or Special Education Classroom Assistants (or SECAs), represented by SEIU, based on what a student’s Individualized Education Program or a 504 plan requires. SEIU Local 73 says this proposal will take work away from SECAs, who are trained to work with students with disabilities.
Principals Union Leaders Say Some CTU Proposals Would Be Harmful
The principals union leaders say one of their major concerns is a proposal that would allow teachers to pick their own curriculums as long as they meet state learning objectives. They worry that this would prevent staff from developing a schoolwide strategy for instruction.
Conclusion
The rift between the Chicago Teachers Union and other school employee unions is a significant development in the ongoing contract negotiations. The teachers union’s demands for more control over school decisions and staffing have created tensions with other labor groups, including the principals and support staff unions. As the negotiations continue, it remains to be seen how the district will respond to the demands and whether the unions will be able to come to a mutually beneficial agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the main issues in the Chicago Teachers Union’s contract negotiations?
- The main issues include the union’s demands for a significant expansion of CTU-represented positions and of educators’ say over school matters.
- What are the concerns of the principals union and SEIU Local 73?
- The principals union is concerned that some CTU proposals would trample on principals’ authority to run schools, while SEIU Local 73 is concerned that a CTU proposal would take work away from its members.
- What is the status of the contract negotiations?
- The contract negotiations are ongoing, with the teachers union having recently shared a "roadmap to settlement" with the district.
