Amy Goodman of Democracy Now interviews Karen Lewis and other CTU teachers about the strike. Lewis explains how the union patiently built alliances with parents and communities, fighting school closings and agreeing on the needs of children.
Karen Lewis reminds us that the great victory of the union was that teachers stood together in solidarity instead of compliantly accepting whatever was dealt out to them. The very fact that the union went out on strike reminded teachers that they are in the same boat and that together they are powerful.
The message that CTU sent the nation was that so-called “education reform” is a fraud. It does not have the support of teachers. It is all about testing, carrots and sticks. And it is not in the best interests of students.
Ultimately what the CTU wanted was a rich curriculum for all children, with the social services and small classes that children nee.
The news from Chicago: The union is alive and well, is unified and strong, and is ready to stand up for the needs of students and for teachers, not only in Chicago but across the nation.
Want a laugh? Watch her take down equity investor Bruce Rauner, who was “a few classes behind her” at Dartmouth. Yes, Bruce, the union is the teachers, and the teachers are the union. They are not separable. Don’t forget: 98% of the teachers voted to authorize the strike, even though Jonah Edelman’s Stand for Children [aka, Stand on Children] said it would never happen.
I guess we all need to buy red t-shirts for the long haul.
Yes, stock up!
I watched it twice. I loved it. Rank and file unionism….the only way from now on….forget the old ways of NEA and AFT..Karen Lewis is our leader.
I thought 98% of teachers voted and 90% voted to strike?
Let’s see if I remember this right. 90% of teachers voted; 98% of those who voted authorized the strike. When we count votes in this country, we could those who voted, not those who didn’t.
I wish Florida stood up more for its students the way Chicago has done. Parents can be the greatest allies in the struggle and their voices need to be heard more.
Parents + Students + Teachers = Goodbye Deform!
Once they can no longer make money off the public schools they will all fade away…no profits = no interest in teachers or students. They are motivated by $$$$ only.
The other option is a massive opt out movement..they have nothing without the testing mania.
The equation works, Linda! Let’s have that go viral!
Is it just me, or does Emanuel’s concern for the students sound disingenuous? I know there has to be some posturing on both sides following the strike, but he makes himself sound like the champion of Chicago’s children. Give me a break!
How could you possibly think Emanuel isn’t sincere in his concern for Chicago’s children?! I mean, just because he sends his own kids to a school that does everything exactly the opposite of what he’s trying to foist on CPS? Oh posh! No, no, trust me, he’s deeply concerned and truly sincere.
[*uncrosses fingers*]
I cringe when I hear Emanuel talk about “our kids,” and I remember that he told Karen Lewis that 25% of those children are uneducable.