Chicago Teachers Union Pushes Petition Drive as Strike Threat Looms
Union Delivers Petitions to Board of Education
The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) will deliver a stack of petitions to the Board of Education Wednesday that leaders say will show there is widespread member support to keep pushing on five key issues, but the union is holding off on a vote to authorize a strike.
Negotiations Underway
Nearly a year into negotiations between CTU and Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the legal process that must be undertaken before a strike is called is almost complete. A month ago, the union rejected an independent fact finder’s report after which they could issue a strike authorization at any time, but still had to wait 30 days to actually call a strike. The 30 days are up on Friday.
Petition Drive Seeks Member Feedback
In a change, the union is telling its members that, given the agreements already landed, that it is already a “transformative” contract. The union is close on cost of living salary increases and has gotten the school district to add more staff in a number of areas, such as adding teacher assistants to preschool classes.
CTU President’s Message
CTU President Stacy Davis Gates has not ruled out a strike, but she said the petition drive was a chance for the union to check in with its members to make sure the bargaining team is going in the right direction. And she hopes it will lead school district leaders to rethink their positions and improve their proposals.
Five Key Issues
The five issues members were asked about in the petition drive were: more time for elementary school teachers to plan, more pay for veteran teachers, a push for an overhaul of the teacher evaluation system, enforceable class size limits, and more staffing.
Schools with High Turnout
The CTU says dozens of schools have had all members sign the petition.
CPS Response
CPS has made proposals on all these issues, but have said they can’t do more on veteran pay, class size limits, and staffing given budgetary constraints. When it comes to elementary school planning time, the district is offering 10 minutes, but has resisted building more into the school days, saying planning time will eat into time in class. In terms of the evaluation system, it notes that teachers are not “penalized for low evaluations.”
Union’s Position
CTU is pushing back, saying they are not asking for the moon here. They say these are basic demands that any teacher would want.
Conclusion
The Chicago Teachers Union is pushing its members to show support for five key issues, and the response has been overwhelming. With the 30-day waiting period for a strike authorization coming to an end, the union is holding off on a vote to authorize a strike, but the possibility of a strike remains on the table. The union is hoping that the petition drive will lead school district leaders to rethink their positions and improve their proposals.
FAQs
* What are the five key issues being pushed by the Chicago Teachers Union?
+ More time for elementary school teachers to plan
+ More pay for veteran teachers
+ A push for an overhaul of the teacher evaluation system
+ Enforceable class size limits
+ More staffing
* When is the 30-day waiting period for a strike authorization coming to an end?
+ Friday
* Has the union ruled out a strike?
+ No, but CTU President Stacy Davis Gates hopes the petition drive will lead school district leaders to rethink their positions and improve their proposals.
