The Chicago Teachers Union posted the following message from its legendary leader and president emerita, Karen Lewis:
Diane-
When Lori ran for mayor, she gave us hope that she would represent real change in City Hall. She ran on our education platform and made a commitment to reverse years of failed policy and horrible planning by her predecessors.
She inherited a system built on revolving door leadership, misplaced investments, excessive standardized testing and few wraparound services for our students. And she took office on a promise of being a progressive, pro-education mayor who gave her word for an elected school board for our district, and said she would use her power to ensure that Chicago’s students have the resources they need regardless of where they live in this city.
It’s not too late.
For far too long, the students, families and educators of Chicago have been denied the high-quality neighborhood schools they deserve. Our students should be learning in safe and thriving environments with social workers, nurses and guidance counselors. Our educators deserve to work in well-equipped classrooms with manageable and enforceable class sizes. And Chicago’s families deserve an elected leader that stands by their promises and truly brings in the light for our great city.
Lori, keep your promises and let’s get this done. Our members have resolve and will not relent when it comes to the families they serve. I stand in solidarity with each and every teacher, PSRP, clinician, nurse and librarian, and urge them to stand firm in their fight and remain united in the struggle for the schools that our students and families deserve.
To them, I ask the questions I’ve always asked of them when making any decision: “Does it unite us? Does it build our power? Does it make us stronger?”
And remember, power concedes nothing without a demand. It never has, and it never will.
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That’s all fine and good, but does Lightfoot have to reverse decades of neglect in the first year? Give me a break. Where is the evidence of a CTU willing to work with the new mayor? Sharkey has been aggressive from before day one. Does he really think his candidate Preckwinkle would be more accommodating? Jackson’s calling Sharkey out for lying about her leaving a negotiating session in a huff really pointed out to me that he is willing to compromise his ethics to create the picture he wants the public to accept. I am all for major change in the schools and I have a feeling that the bargaining process requires some tough cookies. Just fight fair.
I don’t know where you teach. Hopefully in Chicago like me. If you are in the HOD feel free to share things I don’t know. Lori’s team stalled on negotiations for 9 months. She refused to bargain over anything other then compensation, in accordance with anti-labor laws in IL. Then she offered 16% pay in exchange for 2 teacher directed prep times and 3 principal directed prep times. At my school, that would turn you into a substitute teacher. Yesterday at HOD, it was revealed concessions have been made on staffing, health insurance, and a massive 40% raise for PSRPS among other things. This strike has paid off this far and we aren’t done yet.
Yes, don’t settle for too little too soon as did other teacher walkouts which fell short of using the power already in the hands of public school teachers whose daily labor in classrooms is the grease which allows the gears of society to run and without which society is paralyzed.
I debated whether to add my usual caveat. I am retired and in the suburbs. I have only volunteered in Chicago but have taught in a large low income district as well as some wealthy suburban areas. I have absolutely no right to pontificate on the Chicago schools. My only knowledge is secondhand and totally in support of the teachers concerns. Sharkey has just rubbed me the wrong way. I do wonder if anyone else will end up losing funding because of contract promises. I know the process is difficult and extremely important. I know how a poorly worded contract can be used against you by administration and union alike.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
That’s all fine and good, but does Lightfoot have to reverse decades of neglect in the first year? Give me a break. Where is the evidence of a CTU willing to work with the new mayor? Sharkey has been aggressive from before day one. Does he really think his candidate Preckwinkle would be more accommodating? Jackson’s calling Sharkey out for lying about her leaving a negotiating session in a huff really pointed out to me that he is willing to compromise his ethics to create the picture he wants the public to accept. I am all for major change in the schools and I have a feeling that the bargaining process requires some tough cookies. Just fight fair.
I don’t know where you teach. Hopefully in Chicago like me. If you are in the HOD feel free to share things I don’t know. Lori’s team stalled on negotiations for 9 months. She refused to bargain over anything other then compensation, in accordance with anti-labor laws in IL. Then she offered 16% pay in exchange for 2 teacher directed prep times and 3 principal directed prep times. At my school, that would turn you into a substitute teacher. Yesterday at HOD, it was revealed concessions have been made on staffing, health insurance, and a massive 40% raise for PSRPS among other things. This strike has paid off this far and we aren’t done yet.
Yes, don’t settle for too little too soon as did other teacher walkouts which fell short of using the power already in the hands of public school teachers whose daily labor in classrooms is the grease which allows the gears of society to run and without which society is paralyzed.
nicely said
I debated whether to add my usual caveat. I am retired and in the suburbs. I have only volunteered in Chicago but have taught in a large low income district as well as some wealthy suburban areas. I have absolutely no right to pontificate on the Chicago schools. My only knowledge is secondhand and totally in support of the teachers concerns. Sharkey has just rubbed me the wrong way. I do wonder if anyone else will end up losing funding because of contract promises. I know the process is difficult and extremely important. I know how a poorly worded contract can be used against you by administration and union alike.
Solidarity!