Chicago Teachers Union Leaders Face Challenge in Spring Union Election
A New Slate Emerges to Challenge CORE’s Dominance
The leadership of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is expected to face a challenge in its upcoming spring union election. The caucus headed by CTU President Stacy Davis Gates has repeatedly won reelection since 2010, pushing the CTU to broaden its focus from bread-and-butter issues such as raises and benefits to become a militant union that fights for social justice causes. It’s considered a model for teachers unions across the nation.
Challenges to CORE’s Leadership
But Davis Gates and her group, the Caucus of Rank-and-File Educators (CORE), have been blasted by some from inside and outside the union for what critics have called a lack of transparency and an aggressive style that, at times, made more opponents than allies. The CTU has faced scrutiny over its relationship with City Hall during contract negotiations, with the CTU-aligned mayor’s office and the school district administration embroiled in conflict for the past seven months.
Introducing the REAL Slate
The announcement of an opposition slate comes as the CTU remains mired in those contentious contract talks. The union has taken legal steps to prepare for a possible strike, though it’s likely a deal will be reached before the union election in May. The teachers looking to take over the CTU call themselves the Respect Educate Advocate Lead (REAL) caucus. Announcing their candidacies this week, the group’s leaders said they think the current leadership has become too insular and unwilling to listen to differing views.
REAL’s Vision for the CTU
According to Erika Meza, REAL’s candidate for CTU president, the group’s vision is to create a more collaborative and transparent approach. “There’s no diverse opinion,” she said. “We want to make the union a space that’s available to everyone. And the experience for a lot of members has been that if you don’t align with [CORE’s] values entirely, you’re isolated.”
Alison Eichhorn, who’s running for vice president, was once a dedicated member of CORE and sat on the CTU’s executive board. But Eichhorn said she was shut out of the caucus after raising questions about the union’s spending. “We want to make the union a space that’s available to everyone. And the experience for a lot of members has been that if you don’t align with [CORE’s] values entirely, you’re isolated,” she said.
Fighting for the Same Causes
The REAL slate supports the union’s social justice contract demands, such as affordable housing and green schools, while Meza said it’s also important to secure cost-of-living raises and salary increases for veteran teachers. The CTU’s current leadership is close to an agreement on raises and is still pushing for increases for veteran teachers.
Conclusion
The upcoming union election presents a significant challenge to the CTU’s leadership, which has been a dominant force in the city’s education landscape. The REAL slate’s vision for a more collaborative and transparent approach may resonate with some members who are dissatisfied with the current leadership’s style. However, the union’s social justice causes remain a key priority for many members, and the REAL slate’s commitment to these issues could help them gain support.
FAQs
* What is the REAL slate’s vision for the CTU?
The REAL slate aims to create a more collaborative and transparent approach, with a focus on securing cost-of-living raises and salary increases for veteran teachers.
* What are the main differences between the REAL and CORE slates?
The REAL slate is more focused on securing traditional union issues, such as raises and benefits, while the CORE slate is more focused on social justice causes.
* How does the REAL slate plan to address the CTU’s current contract negotiations?
The REAL slate plans to prioritize securing cost-of-living raises and salary increases for veteran teachers, while also addressing the union’s social justice demands.
* What is the current state of the CTU’s relationship with City Hall?
The CTU has faced scrutiny over its relationship with City Hall during contract negotiations, with the CTU-aligned mayor’s office and the school district administration embroiled in conflict for the past seven months.
