Mike Klonsky writes about the latest anti-union screed from the Chicago Tribune.

Funny thing about the Trib: they complain about the union but not about the Mayor’s indifference to the children of Chicago.

Categories Chicago, Democracy, Unions

36 Comments Post your own or leave a trackback: Trackback URL

2old2teach says:

September 23, 2016 at 12:30 am

I understand why they are calling for an open vote; it is extremely expensive to organize a secret ballot vote. I think a figure of $100,000 was what it cost to run the last vote. I also understand that it can be hard to go against what may be seen as the majority opinion. Life in your school building can get very uncomfortable if you vote against the majority and everyone knows it. You are viewed as a scab in spite of whether you will honor a strike vote. Since I have never been in this situation, perhaps there is someone out there who can speak to the issue who has personal experience a potentially controversial open vote.

LikeLike

Reply
- Joe says:
  
  September 23, 2016 at 2:42 am
  
  One time many moons ago, the teachers in my district went on strike. While on the picket line, one of our fellow teachers crossed the picket line and went to work. After the strike was over, (and it was successful), nothing happened to the teacher scab. He did not suffer a nanosecond of discomfort. He was not shunned or maltreated in any way, shape or form but he got the raises and benefits that we struck for. To be honest, I was too busy teaching and doing all the things that teachers do to engage in acrimony.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
- Steve K says:
  
  September 23, 2016 at 7:32 am
  
  Teach in Michigan, a RTW state recently. While nothing happens to teachers who don’t pay union dues, there are situations where tension clearly exists. It’s mostly because the non-paying members usually make it known themselves that they don’t contribute. Also, because they tend to be the most vociferous about asking what’s going on with negotiations. They seem unaware that being free riders is offensive.
  
  We can always figure out how to be professional, but the nature of this causes hard feelings and resentment in a personal manner. We used to be a staff that socialized together often. Now, we’re clearly two camps once the bell rings at the end of the day.
  
  (Note: RTW doesn’t apply to police in our state. Apparently “worker freedom” is bad for cops but great for teachers.)
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
  - Joel Herman says:
    
    September 23, 2016 at 9:07 am
    
    Cops used to be a private security force . The first public police departments were used to track down runaway slaves. They have always been a tool to keep the masses at bay.
    
    LikeLike
  - dianeravitch says:
    
    September 23, 2016 at 5:47 pm
    
    Joel,
    
    That was not true of NYC police. They were not created to track runaway slaves. They were created to combat gangs (all white ones), street fighting, and crime.
    
    LikeLike
Chiara says:

September 23, 2016 at 5:48 am

“Union thugs” is a constant theme in ed reform.

They talk more about their opposition to labor unions than they do about public schools.

I don’t mind the openly anti-union ed reformers as much as I mind the people who claim they support collective bargaining. They support collective bargaining unless someone in a labor union actually exercises any of the rights. Then it’s right to “union thugs”.

They’re more comfortable with “employee voice” – it’s very “progressive” and touchy-feely and non-threatening. It’s also not an enforceable right, which they never mention.

LikeLike

Reply
Chiara says:

September 23, 2016 at 5:55 am

I always think the opposition to labor unions in ed reform is partly a class thing.

They don’t like to be associated with labor unions- people who are lower-level service workers or in the trades.

There’s a thick vein of pure snobbery that runs through this “movement”- a distaste for people they perceive as less than The Best and Brightest. I actually think it’s tied to the obsession with test scores, because a high score on a standardized test is partly how one gains admission to elite colleges. That’s the measure.

Unions are sort of icky and low class. Not “disruptive” and “innovative”.

LikeLike

Reply
- Joel Herman says:
  
  September 23, 2016 at 7:20 am
  
  Which is why it is ridicules to talk about teachers as professionals or becoming more professional. Not that they aren’t professionals , but that they are not perceived be by the “elites” as such .
  No worker that could have to rely on collective bargaining could possibly “MERIT” the title.
  
  Their collective bargaining agents like the AMA or ABA or in the case of the true elites the BRT (Business Round Table) or National Chamber of Commerce … … are never quite described as such. Certainly never described as thugs. In the case of the BRT & NCC, thuggery would be a mild description of the assault they have launched on the American middle (working )class. In the assault they have launched on the health and well being of the American people in areas from the environment to prescription drugs … …
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
  - Chiara says:
    
    September 23, 2016 at 7:36 am
    
    It’s funny that they’re (to me) so blatant about it because it isn’t true where I live. Teachers here are in the most-educated group. They’re not at all disrespected.
    
    I bet that’s true in a lot of places but it probably isn’t true where THEY live 🙂
    
    They don’t seem to hear how snobby they sound when they talk about “mediocrity”- it’s so CLEARLY directed to the unwashed masses. This from people who regularly describe their own members as The Best and Brightest. It’s insufferable.
    
    I’m convinced that’s where the test score worship comes from. That’s the measure of “merit”- college entrance tests.
    
    LikeLike
  - Joel Herman says:
    
    September 23, 2016 at 10:59 am
    
    ridiculous oops again
    
    LikeLike
- 2old2teach says:
  
  September 23, 2016 at 1:20 pm
  
  “Instead of secret ballots — which would permit dissent — teachers and other CTU members are being asked to authorize a strike via “petitions” circulated at schools. The details aren’t clear, but that reportedly means union delegates will gather members’ signatures to authorize or reject a strike.”
  
  My comment had nothing to do with whether you support unions or not. I am assuming union support since this vote is canvassing union members. My comment has to do with the method of obtaining a count: open vs. secret vote. You can be a union member and not be sure you want to strike but not want that fact advertised. You can even as a union member decide to honor a strike vote even if you disagree which would probably have been my decision if I had ever been put in that position. I was called once to substitute in the case of a strike by a neighboring district to the one in which I subbed. I declined to cross the picket line. Fortunately, the district settled with the union. I wonder if their decision had to do with the difficulty finding teachers who would cross the picket line?
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
  - 2old2teach says:
    
    September 23, 2016 at 1:22 pm
    
    Sorry. I forgot to credit the quote: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-chicago-teachers-union-strike-vote-edit-20160921-story.html
    
    LikeLike
Chiara says:

September 23, 2016 at 6:35 am

“One in 10 Black students who attend a public school in this country attends a charter school.”

So 90% of them attend public schools, which half of ed reformers have absolutely no interest in and the other half actively oppose

90% in public schools and their adult advocates are either the completely useless potted plant “agnostics” OR actively opposed to public schools and hoping to replace their schools with charters and vouchers.

Which leaves children in public schools with no actual advocates in government.

Great. Good plan, ed reform. That’ll work.

Tweets by charteralliance

LikeLike

Reply
FLERP! says:

September 23, 2016 at 8:03 am

Calling for a secret ballot can arguably be described as anti-union. But I don’t follow how it “mocks democracy.”

LikeLike

Reply
- LeftCoastTeacher says:
  
  September 23, 2016 at 9:42 am
  
  Public schools have democratically elected boards, in theory anyway.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
  - FLERP! says:
    
    September 23, 2016 at 9:54 am
    
    Elected by secret ballot.
    
    LikeLike
Rudy J Schellekens says:

September 23, 2016 at 9:32 am

“…requiring Chicago union teachers, and only Chicago union teachers, to vote by a 75% super majority in order to authorize a strike”

Having a son who works in CPS, and having heard the results of their strike a few years ago, I understand this rule.
The impact a CPS teachers strike has goes way beyond teachers. For them, it’s easy – they get paid. But all the support staff has to eat the loss.

The parents who have to make alternate arrangements for their children leads to financial losses which, in a district like Chicago are staggering. Having to take a day off, for many without pay. having to cough up money for day care…

So yes, CPS teachers better make sure this is indeed a “super majority” decision. And if 20% (or more) decides they cannot take the time to vote for such an important decision, than maybe that says something about their commitment to their union?

LikeLike

Reply
- dianeravitch says:
  
  September 23, 2016 at 5:31 pm
  
  Rudy,
  
  I believe the first strike was supported by 90%+ of CTU members as well as parents.
  
  Why shouldn’t the union strike to protest the mayor’s destruction of public education and mass layoffs?
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
  - Rudy Schellekens says:
    
    September 23, 2016 at 7:48 pm
    
    Because they are about one BILLION dollars in the hole.
    Because teachers refuse to pay more for their pension. Remember: they don’t pay into SS – advocated by the union.
    Because teachers refuse to pay more for their health insurance. Grateful as I am for good health benefits (when my granddaughter spent the first months of her life in the nicu, the bill came close to 650,000)
    In the district where I work, I pay 7% of my premium.
    But I also pay SS, and I pay almost 9% towards my pension.
    And our state is 90-95% funded, where Illinois is at about 50% funded.
    CPS cannot afford to pay into their system because salaries are about the third or fourth highest in the country.
    Someone, somewhere has to give up something. But unions don’t do that.
    And that’s why I have issues with unions.
    
    LikeLike
  - Rudy schellekens says:
    
    September 23, 2016 at 8:02 pm
    
    BTW, I noticed you don’t seem to care about the burden placed on all the families involved. 390,000 students have to stay home for an undetermined time. Special needs kids will go…Where? Any suggestions? Volunteers?
    It will be people like my son who will volunteer to be care providers for at whatever location, how ever long it takes him to there and home again in the evening.
    Thank you, unions.
    
    LikeLike
LeftCoastTeacher says:

September 23, 2016 at 9:40 am

What happens when the powerful unleash drone dropped guided missiles at the masses? It enrages the people. It makes them want to throw stones.

Keep it up, Tribune! Keep petting the Rahm dog of whose leash no political candidate wants to get caught holding. It won’t matter what kind of vote is held by the time you get done thoughtlessly attacking everyday teachers and families. Your lack of tact will be your undoing.

LikeLike

Reply
Yvonne Siu-Runyan says:

September 23, 2016 at 11:38 am

This is CHICAGO, city of Rahm and the rest of the yahoos.

LikeLike

Reply
MathAppeal says:

September 23, 2016 at 11:54 am

Just a reminder: The company that owns the Chicago Tribune also owns the Los Angeles Times.

LikeLike

Reply
Scisne says:

September 23, 2016 at 2:20 pm

A real hatchet job has been done on unions by the corporate-owned major media to convince people that unions were the cause of America’s manufacturing industries decline instead of the real culprit, which was and remains Wall Street greed for ever-greater stock dividend payouts that killed capital investment in modern factories and equipment needed to keep America competitive. Moreover, today’s corporate and political opposition to workers’ First Amendment right of Free Association in unions is not only unconstitutional, it also is against the teachings and official positions of mainstream Christian and Jewish churches and organizations that have taken strong official stances in support of workers’ rights to incorporate in unions and to conduct collective bargaining, as shown in the following official church statements and position papers:

CATHOLIC CHURCH — UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS, Pastoral Letter “Economic Justice for All,” 1986: “The [Catholic] Church fully supports the right of workers to form unions or other associations to secure their rights to fair wages and working conditions. This is a specific application of the more general right to associate [this makes unionizing a constitutional right under the First Amendment right of freedom to form associations]. No one may deny the right to organize without attacking human dignity itself. Therefore, we firmly oppose organized efforts — such as those regrettably seen in this country — to break existing unions or prevent workers from organizing.”
POPE BENEDICT XVI, “Caritas in Veritate,” 2009: “Governments, for reasons of economic utility, often limit the freedom or the negotiating capacity of labor unions. The repeated calls issued within the Church’s social doctrine, beginning with Rerum Novarum, for the promotion of workers’ associations that can defend their rights must therefore be honored today even more than in the past.”

AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES in the U.S.A. Resolution, 1981: “We reaffirm our position that workers have the right to organize by a free and democratic vote of the workers involved.”

CENTRAL CONFERENCE OF AMERICAN RABBIS, Preamble to the Workplace Fairness Resolution, adopted at the 104th Annual Convention, June 1993: “Jewish leaders, along with our Catholic and Protestant counterparts, have always supported the labor movement and the rights of employees to form unions for the purpose of engaging in collective bargaining and attaining fairness in the workplace. We believe that the permanent replacement of striking workers upsets the balance of power needed for collective bargaining, destroys the dignity of working people and undermines the democratic values of this nation.”

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, Resolution on the Church and Labor, 1938: “We believe in the right of laboring men to organize for protection against unjust conditions and to secure a more adequate share of the fruits of the toil.”

CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH Discipline doctrine, adopted 1982: “Free collective bargaining has proved its value in our free society whenever the parties engaged in collective bargaining have acted in good faith to reach equitable and moral solutions of problems dealing with wages and working conditions.”

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA, Resolution adopted at Churchwide Assembly, 1991: “The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America commits itself to advocacy with corporations, businesses, congregations and church-related institutions to protect the rights of workers, support the collective bargaining process, and protect the right to strike.”

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH U.S.A, “Principles of Vocation and Work,” adopted at General Assembly, 1995: “Justice demands that social institutions guarantee all persons the opportunity to participate actively in economic decision making that affects them. All workers — including undocumented, migrant and farm workers — have the right to choose to organize for the purposes of collective bargaining.”

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION OF CONGREGATIONS, adopted at General Assembly, 1997: “The Unitarian Universalist Association urges its member congregations and individual Unitarian Universalists in the United States… to work specifically in favor of mechanisms such as: reform of labor legislation and employment standards to provide greater protection for workers, including the right to organize and bargain collectively, protection from unsafe working conditions and protections from unjust dismissal.”

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, “Resolution Affirming Democratic Principles in an Emerging Global Economy,” adopted at 21st General Synod, 1997: “The 21st General Synod reaffirms the heritage of the United Church of Christ as an advocate for democratic, participatory and inclusive economic policies in both public and private sectors, including … the responsibility of workers to organize unions for collective bargaining with employers regarding wages, benefits and working conditions, and to participate in efforts further to democratize, reform and expand the labor movement domestically and abroad.”

LikeLike

Reply
Vale Math says:

September 23, 2016 at 3:37 pm

I’ll bet about 5,800 Wells Fargo low level ex-employees are wishing for a union about now. Especially since one exec firing them walked with $120 million and the current CEO can leave with a measly $200 million.

LikeLike

Reply
- Rudy J Schellekens says:
  
  September 23, 2016 at 5:00 pm
  
  IF a union would fight the firing of these WF employees, the union should be disbanded. Crimes were committed, end of story. But I guess unions don’t seem to care about those. After all, there was a Jimmy Hoffa
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
  - dianeravitch says:
    
    September 23, 2016 at 5:41 pm
    
    Rudy, you exhaust me with your hatred of any workers’ rights. Yes, there was Jimmy Hoffa–50 years ago? There was also Enron, Worldcom, the 2008 worldwide financial collapse engineered by greedy people on Wall Street. How many went to jail for destroying working people’s pensions, homes, mortgages, and life savings. Your comments are disgusting. Why aren’t you working on Wall Street?
    
    LikeLike
  - Rudy schellekens says:
    
    September 23, 2016 at 8:14 pm
    
    I don’t hate workers rights, ma’am. I hate the selfishness which is often so clear in union actions.
    You asked why CPS fires people and closes buildings? Do the math.
    You lose 8,000 students at an average of $7000 a year.
    That is 56,000,000. Where does new money come from? For that year? And the year after? That’s been going on for four years in CPS. That’s 224,000,000. Suggestions on how to make that up?
    Criticizing is easy. Coming up with solutions is a different story.
    Sometimes workers have to take a cut – or at least stay the same. But demanding pay increases when there is no money? In what reality does that make sense?
    
    LikeLike
  - dianeravitch says:
    
    September 24, 2016 at 8:26 am
    
    Rudy why don’t those teachers work for free? That would solve the budget crunch
    
    LikeLike
  - Rudy schellekens says:
    
    September 24, 2016 at 10:20 am
    
    Really? Is that the best response?
    How about meeting in the middle? How about applying some common sense?
    I was the one who suggested that our staff pay towards our health insurance out of our pocket.
    It has helped our District.
    Do the losses in funding mean anything to someone like you?
    “Tax the rich more…” is not the smartest answer. Chicago has only so many rich people. And they can afford to move!
    “Tax the businesses more…” is not the answer either. They, too, can afford to move.
    So what I am learning from you is that rather than trying to advocate searching for and working towards balanced solutions in education, you have no answers.
    
    LikeLike
  - dianeravitch says:
    
    September 24, 2016 at 1:12 pm
    
    Rudy,
    There are no cost-free answers.
    
    Why should the super-rich object to a tax that costs them about as much as a meal at their favorite restaurant?
    
    LikeLike
  - Rudy Schellekens says:
    
    September 24, 2016 at 1:44 pm
    
    And why should the cost be free for teachers? Why is it that teachers should not have to pay for their pensions, just like everybody in the business world? Why should teachers not contribute to their health care costs, just like the business world? BTW, in the state where I live, teachers in many districts DO pay towards their health care insurance, and their pension funds.
    Why SHOULD teachers (or, in the case of Illinois, union members) expect to get a free ride?
    One of the smaller districts near here had a superintendent who TEN years ago did the math, and realized the drop in students – therefore the drop in funding, and planned accordingly.
    The teachers union understood the coming losses, and made agreements that fit within the boundaries. Property taxes went up, and the costs were cut where necessary and possible. ALL involved worked together, and it all worked.
    
    CPS has the same problems, but seemingly, not the same foresight. Having been an avid follower of happenings in CPS for personal reasons, I have not seen ANY willingness by the union to compromise.
    A state like Illinois cannot afford the enormous cost of pensions where only the employer contributes. It comes to a point where the income sources are tapped to their limit, and then what?
    
    Businesses are leaving Illinois because their tax burden is too high. Now what?
    Rich people are leaving Illinois because their tax burden is too high. Now what?
    
    The only other solution? Make a NATIONAL department of Education, and forget local control. Now companies and rich people can no longer hide. You can tax every one every where, and divide it evenly over all the districts in the country.
    
    Of course, from what I have seen on this blog, you are less happy with the governments involvement than I am about with unions – now there’s a thought…
    
    LikeLike
  - 2old2teach says:
    
    September 24, 2016 at 7:07 pm
    
    The state of Illinois does not pay the entire cost of our pensions. Some districts have decided to pick up some of the pension benefits in lieu of salary increases, which was the case in Chicago. Pensions are pretty generous if you work 30+ years (75% of 4 highest years?) but then again the state decided they didn’t want to have to administer Social Security, so pensions are the only source of retirement income for teachers. Chicago’s system is separate from the state. You seem to ignore the fact that the state and city have used pension funds as a sort of piggy bank that they have freely borrowed from for decades. Pensioners have already paid royally in what has not been earned because of pension “holidays.” You also ignore the fact that teacher pensions have always been presented as deferred income to make up for the difference between public and private salaries. By raiding the pension funds and attempting to renege on constitutionally guaranteed benefits, the state and city are attempting to void a contract and get out of paying their employees. The other aspect you ignore is social security windfall provision that reduces any social security we might have earned at covered jobs which really screws second career teachers and the so many teachers around the state who have had to work second jobs. Social security benefits are reduced by up to 2/3 of your pension benefit. I am not quite sure what the limit is right now but I think it can reduce your SS benefit down to about $400. Of course, if you were a teacher for your entire career, you get nothing in SS. Switching to 401K plans is another example of employers trying to switch all the risk to employees. They no longer would have a vested interest in the performance of pension funds. 401K funds have not done well for the vast majority of those unfortunate enough to have to depend on them.
    
    Chicago has shut neighborhood schools, reduced funding with bogus per pupil formulas, deferred maintenance, cut staffing (particularly of minorities) and increased hours without compensation. They have made clear their priorities with clout heavy funding for charters and flagship schools in wealthy areas of the city while ignoring the needs of the neediest. TIF funds are used for projects that benefit the powerful and connected (a stadium for a private university!). Rather than expecting more form those who have more, they nickle and dime the man on the street down to a public transportation fare card system that penalizes those least able to pay.
    
    I’m all for balance, too, and the union may end up giving in order to get, but they have little reason to believe the city will honor their word.
    
    LikeLike
  - Rudy Shellekens says:
    
    September 24, 2016 at 9:00 pm
    
    My bad, I forgot the 2%.
    
    Here is an interesting list of factual numbers about CPS teachers and pensions (and who pays what!)
    
    https://www.illinoispolicy.org/11-things-you-need-to-know-about-chicago-teacher-pensions/
    
    LikeLike
  - 2old2teach says:
    
    September 25, 2016 at 6:26 pm
    
    Blame the union because the city offered pension pickup in lieu of raises?! The city has spent years avoiding adequate funding. They had no problem that they didn’t create.
    
    It is incredibly unfair that Chicago residents are responsible for funding their teachers’ pensions without state participation and are expected to pay taxes for pensions in the rest of the state. I don’t know how that particular lunacy came about. I do know that Chicago has spent massive amounts of money on the area of the city that catered most directly to tourists and wealthy residents and businesses. Somehow those efforts have failed to “trickle down” to the neediest citizens/communities in the city. Something is out of whack. I doubt that blaming the public employees is the cause of the city’s distress.
    
    LikeLike
  - Rudy Shellekens says:
    
    September 24, 2016 at 9:37 pm
    
    And f course, from the CPS:
    http://cps.edu/FY16Budget/Pages/pensions.aspx
    
    LikeLike