I may no longer be blogging with Deborah Meier at Bridging Differences, but we continue to share and exchange ideas. Deborah comments here about the role of unions.
…Unions are not primarily formed to influence reform–but, there are good reasons why the two go together. (In short, self-interest is not always a bad thing–as our opponents note in defense of their corporate sponsors.) The most horrifying aspect of current reform is actually not what it is doing to teachers–but what it is and will do our students and the future of America. Not one of the reforms proposed by the Rahms/Kleins et al of the world has any connection to helping kids grow up to be well-educated. The evidence is clear. I’m proud of the CTU for making that clear and taking an enormous risk to do so.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
People need to know that there is much at stake in the strike, but because of the recently passed Illinois Senate Bill 7 (with LOTS of $$$ help from Jonah Edelman, Stand for Children), a strike cannot be authorized unless the reason(s) is/are salary &/or benefits. Collective bargaining, as Illinoisians have known it, is dead. That’s why all the other issues are not coming to the forefront/being discussed, and that is why teachers like Kevin Lee & Xian Barrett are taking to the internet to explain the REAL issues at stake. In fact, one parent who was dead-set against the strike went out to talk to the teachers, came away with a clear understanding of the issues, and wrote a letter of apology which was posted on a local blog. (I’ll send it, Diane, if I haven’t already.) Keep telling everyone you know to read this blog and to talk to teachers!