CHICAGO — Union leaders for this city’s public schoolteachers said that they would strike on Monday morning after negotiations ended late Sunday with no contract agreement between the union and the nation’s third largest school system, which have been locked for months in a dispute over wages, job security and teacher evaluations.
Coming as the school year had barely begun for many, the impasse and looming strike were expected to affect hundreds of thousands of families here, some of whom had spent the weekend scrambling to rearrange work schedules, find alternative programs and hire baby sitters if school was out for some time.
Chicago Public Schools officials, visibly frustrated after talks broke off late Sunday night, expressed concern for the estimated 350,000 students the strike could affect.
“We do not want a strike,” David J. Vitale, president of the Chicago Board of Education, said late Sunday as he left the negotiations, which he described as extraordinarily difficult and “perhaps the most unbelievable process that I’ve ever been through.”
Union leaders said they had hoped not to walk away from their jobs, but they said they were left with little choice.
“This is a difficult decision and one we hoped we could have avoided,” said Karen Lewis, president of the Chicago Teachers Union.
The political stakes now may be highest for Rahm Emanuel, the Democratic mayor in a city with deep union roots. He took office last year holding up the improvement of public schools as one of his top priorities, but now faces arduous political terrain certain to accompany Chicago’s first public schools strike in 25 years.
Late Sunday, Mr. Emanuel told reporters that school district officials had presented a strong offer to the union, including what some officials described as what would amount to a 16 percent raise for many teachers over four years — and that only two minor issues remained. “This is totally unnecessary, it’s avoidable and our kids do not deserve this,” Mr. Emanuel said, describing the decision as “a strike of choice.”
For days, even as talks went on, Chicago had been bracing for the possibility of a teachers strike — the first since a 19-day stoppage in 1987. In recent days, hundreds of people have called the city’s 311 system and the Chicago Public Schools central offices with questions about whether a strike was coming, and what it would mean. A strike was not expected to affect the 45,000 students in the city’s charter schools, officials said.
The school system, which employs about 25,000 teachers, announced contingency plans in the event of a strike, including a program to open 144 of its 675 schools with half-days of activities supervised by people other than unionized teachers. Officials said that program would also include meals — no small concern since 84 percent of the city’s public school students qualify for the free and reduced meals program.
Ms. Lewis deemed the contingency proposal, which was expected to be able to accommodate at least 150,000 students, “a mess,” and suggested that school officials were expecting families to “put their children with random folks.” For its part, the union on Saturday opened a strike headquarters where members could begin collecting picket signs and other materials to prepare for a walkout.
Negotiations have taken place behind closed doors since November, concerning wages and benefits, whether laid-off teachers should be considered for new openings, extra pay for those with more experience and higher degrees, and evaluations. District officials said the teachers’ average pay is $76,000 a year.
School officials, who say the system faces a $665 million deficit this year and a bigger one next year, have worked to cut costs even as Mr. Emanuel has pressed for what he considers much-needed “comprehensive reform,” including a longer school day.
Teachers have said they are being neglected on issues like promised raises, class sizes and support staff in the schools. By June, about 90 percent of teachers voted in favor of authorizing a strike if a new agreement could not be reached during the summer.
While negotiators handled the private talks, Chicagoans watched what appeared to be a contentious, sometimes personal fight between two blunt and resolute personalities: Mr. Emanuel and Ms. Lewis, who has described the mayor in recent days as a “bully” and a “liar,” and in a recent interview added, “I think the whole idea of an imperial mayoralty where you wave a magic wand or cuss someone out and things happen is untenable.”
Some parents said they were ultimately hopeful about the prospect of improvement in their children’s schools and eager for the changes advocated by Mr. Emanuel, whose own children attend private school. But others said that they thought teachers had been pushed hard, and that a standoff seemed inevitable.
“He has a vision for what he wants,” Jacob Lesniewski, a parent, said of Mr. Emanuel, “and he’s not going to let anything get in his way.”
For the moment, though, parents seemed most worried about something else entirely: how to juggle their way through Monday with no school.
Post by cookiemdough on Sept 10, 2012 4:23:43 GMT -5
I am curious as to what two remaining issues they couldn't resolve. What a mess. To be honest I don't know if I agree with teachers being able to strike. The impact and number of innocent people affected seems disproportionate to whatever grievance remains.
Ms. Lewis deemed the contingency proposal, which was expected to be able to accommodate at least 150,000 students, “a mess,” and suggested that school officials were expecting families to “put their children with random folks.” For its part, the union on Saturday opened a strike headquarters where members could begin collecting picket signs and other materials to prepare for a walkout.
This seems really shitty. She thinks it sounds like a mess? What does she want all these parents to do with their kids that work and don't have child care options? A strike would put a ton of families in an awful position. She has to realize that.
Another question - if they strike, how do they make up those days to still reach 180? Add them on to the end of the year? Cancel a break?
I have 4 friends who are CPS teachers. 2 support the strike and 2 don't. One of the strikers is on a rant about how the media isn't reporting the whole story, but I'm trying to get specifics from her. There are a couple Chicagoans here- maybe someone will come on- since there's no school and all
On the news this morning they are stating one of the sticking points was how teachers would be evaluated. Definitely not strike worthy.
It depends. Here they've been experimenting with student evals. That can definitely be strike worthy. If your job security is in the hands of a 7th grader with a grudge, wouldn't you be concerned about that?
I will reserve judgment until I find out what those last two sticking points are. And I disagree that teachers shouldn't be allowed to strike. But it's certainly not something I want to see happen on the regular, nor do I want to see it happen for silly reasons.
I am curious as to what two remaining issues they couldn't resolve. What a mess. To be honest I don't know if I agree with teachers being able to strike. The impact and number of innocent people affected seems disproportionate to whatever grievance remains.
Ditto. It really sucks to be a parent of a kid in that school system if you rely on your kid being at school in order to work.
In a recently released video, Chicago Teachers Union shows the games played by wealthy elites to smear the Union in the midst of heated contract negotiations. Chicago Teachers Union has maintained that it will not bargain in the press over a fair contract, but associates of Mayor Rahm Emanuel have apparently used backroom deals in Springfield, paid protesters and even members of the Michigan Tea Party to distort the public's image of the Union.
The video, "Astroturf Billionaires Vs. The Chicago Teachers Union" shows all of these tricks in graphic detail.
The video begins with footage Tea Party blogger Andrew Marcus boasting about how he worked with Mayor Rahm Emanuel "against the Unions in this town." Marcus directed the film A Tale of Two Missions -- an anti-public school video featuring a candid interview with Mayor Emanuel. Tale of Two Missions was produced by a Tea Party-backed group in Michigan called the Education Action Group.
The first half of the EAG video was essentially an infomercial for The Nobel Street Charter School Network while the second half was essentially a smear video against Chicago Teachers Union. In the video, Mayor Rahm Emanuel explains that charter schools seem to have a "secret sauce" to success.
It seemed strange that Emanuel, a longtime member and leader of the Democratic Party establishment would work with ultra-right wing Tea Party members to execute political goals.
The video also features a man admitting to being paid to protest at the 2012 Crane School closing hearing. The Chicago Tribune reported last February that Rahm Emanuel's associate Greg Goldner's firm Resolute Consulting, a firm that worked on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's 2002 Congressional bid, allegedly paid people to protest at these hearings. The paid protesters largely blamed Chicago Teachers Union for problems in Chicago's schools.
The video also shows Jonah Edelman, CEO of Stand for Children, the group behind "Senate Bill 7" - a "school reform" bill that did nothing to improve schools, but focused on squashing the bargaining rights of Chicago Teachers Union.
Senate Bill 7 was written specifically to take power away from the teachers union and set the stage for changes pushed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his appointed school board, most notably the longer school day and year.
In "Astroturf," Edelman boasts that the hurdles of a 75 percent required strike vote and the issuance of a fact-finders report would make it impossible for Chicago teachers to strike. In the end, union members who voted in the strike authorization election voted 98 percent for the option to strike and the fact finder made a decision in favor of Chicago Teachers Union. In an especially candid moment in the video, CEO Edelman explains that he "made up" the statistic that Houston students receive four more years of education compared to Chicago, a claim that was repeated over the course of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's' mayoral bid.
The video ends on a positive note showing CTU's efforts to organize not only teachers and school staff - but parents and students to support them in their battle for a fair contract.
The video can be used as an educational piece showing the power of democracy even in the face of political tricks and backroom deals.
Chicago has been the focus of corporate school “reform,” but Chicago is now the epicenter of the push back against it. On June 11, 2012, Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) leaders announced that 89.73% of CTU members—98% of those who cast ballots—voted to give the union authority to call a strike if contract negotiations with Chicago Public Schools fail (Chicago Teachers Union). This astounding vote was about much more than a contract. It tapped into teachers’ deep anger at 17 years of neoliberal education “reforms” that have demoralized and blamed teachers and belittled their knowledge, taken the joy out of classrooms, and decimated public education. After 17 years of the tyranny of high stakes tests, business-like management of public schools, school closings and turnarounds by private operators, disinvestment of resources from neighborhood public schools, and moves to pay teachers based on competitive performance measures, teachers have had enough. A new revitalized teachers union, along with parents, students and community members of Chicago are standing up to the assault on public education.
On July 16, 2012, a mandatory fact finder—tasked with making recommendations for a new collective bargaining agreement between the Board of Education of the City of Chicago (Board) and CTU—shocked Mayor Rahm Emanuel by finding largely in favor of the CTU. Quickly, the Mayor and his appointed Board backed down on extending the school day without paying teachers for their extra time and agreed to rehire laid off teachers to add more art, music, and physical education classes to the school day. This was a victory for students, community members, and the CTU who have been fighting for a “better school day,” not just a longer day. But the struggle is far from finished. Teachers do not want a strike, but CTU leadership rejected the report noting that it left many key issues unresolved, including smaller class sizes, fair compensation for paraprofessionals, a rehire pool for laid-off teachers, and fair systems for teacher evaluation and compensation. Further, issues of charter school expansion and hiring more nurses and social workers are also at stake.
As a national Network of Teacher Activist Groups (TAG), we believe Chicago teachers are in a crucial battle to defend public education and make schools more equitable and just. The outcome of this struggle will not only impact the people of Chicago, but also set the tone for promoting educational equity across the nation. Their fight is our fight. We are asking educators, school social workers, parents, students, youth workers, and any concerned community members to join us in support and solidarity for the CTU teachers as they stand up to the powerful forces aligned to dismantle public education. read more
On the news this morning they are stating one of the sticking points was how teachers would be evaluated. Definitely not strike worthy.
It depends. Here they've been experimenting with student evals. That can definitely be strike worthy. If your job security is in the hands of a 7th grader with a grudge, wouldn't you be concerned about that?
I would be concerned but still don't think it is strike-worthy especially given all the other protections teachers generally have. I don't get to pick how my job evaluates me. I am given the criteria and then I work to meet it to the best of my ability.
Post by cookiemdough on Sept 10, 2012 7:15:39 GMT -5
What is a re-hire pool for laid off teachers? If you are laid off why shouldnt the administration have discretion on whether they want to hire someone back?
even if they use student evals, that doesn't mean the rest of their contract is out the window. I hightly doubt a teacher can be fired for one bad eval. Generally it takes several years to fire a public school teacher.
even if they use student evals, that doesn't mean the rest of their contract is out the window. I hightly doubt a teacher can be fired for one bad eval. Generally it takes several years to fire a public school teacher.
Which is completely ridiculous, but that is a whole other topic
even if they use student evals, that doesn't mean the rest of their contract is out the window. I hightly doubt a teacher can be fired for one bad eval. Generally it takes several years to fire a public school teacher.
The thing is how would that affect the teacher-student relationship? Would teachers then only be concerned with doing what the kids would like them to do? Or not disciplining when the need arises? Do we really want that?
even if they use student evals, that doesn't mean the rest of their contract is out the window. I hightly doubt a teacher can be fired for one bad eval. Generally it takes several years to fire a public school teacher.
The thing is how would that affect the teacher-student relationship? Would teachers then only be concerned with doing what the kids would like them to do? Or not disciplining when the need arises? Do we really want that?
I work in a private school. Of course what the kids say about us matters because its what their parents hear. However, it has never ever put someone's job in jeopardy nor does it effect how I discipline or treat students. So I don't see it really changing anything.
Do I think official student evals should happen in a middle school? No. Do I think its strike worthy, especially in a district like CPS where its not going to lead to firing? Heck no.
The thing is how would that affect the teacher-student relationship? Would teachers then only be concerned with doing what the kids would like them to do? Or not disciplining when the need arises? Do we really want that?
I work in a private school. Of course what the kids say about us matters because its what their parents hear. However, it has never ever put someone's job in jeopardy nor does it effect how I discipline or treat students. So I don't see it really changing anything.
Do I think official student evals should happen in a middle school? No. Do I think its strike worthy, especially in a district like CPS where its not going to lead to firing? Heck no.
I understand that it might not change anything for you but I think that it could affect other teachers...especially new teachers.
Post by runforrest on Sept 10, 2012 9:21:06 GMT -5
I am still reading up on this, but deep down I don't think teachers should be able to strike either. My main concern is for the kids and especially for the kids in the less safe areas of Chicago, where violence could spike because the kids are not in school and may not have somewhere safe to go.
CPD have said they are beefing up patrols and such to make sure there aren't any outbursts, but it is still worrisome.
We live down the street from an elementary school in Chicago and there were a bunch of picketers outside. It's sad. I feel like if you are a good teacher, then why should you be against evals/merit pay? That's how most jobs work - if you do well, you are paid/rewarded, and if you don't, then you don't get raises or are fired. I don't see why teachers should be treated any differently.
Post by mkesweetie on Sept 10, 2012 9:34:33 GMT -5
The whole thing is a nightmare, and even living here and following this news story for the last 10 months or so that it has been developing for it's been impossible to tell what the issues are. Only in the last few days have I even heard the "safety issues" surrounding 98* classrooms brought up, and I've never heard until last night the issue of "breast feeding mothers".
Both sides in this fight are neither right nor wrong, and sadly the kids and parents are the ones that are going to pay for it. I talked to a CPD officer last weekend who told me the City is talking about opening up fire departments, police stations and libraries for kids to stay at during the school days, and the CPD/CFD will help to "oversee" them. What a fucking disaster.
As for being able to strike, well, it isn't exactly like they gave a 10 day notice and then went on strike. These issues have been being discussed for almost an entire year. IMO, Rahm is trying to prove a point and when you go into something like this with that mentality, nobody's going to win.
I feel like if you are a good teacher, then why should you be against evals/merit pay? That's how most jobs work - if you do well, you are paid/rewarded, and if you don't, then you don't get raises or are fired. I don't see why teachers should be treated any differently.
It really depends on how the evaluations are structured. I don't think student evaluations should factor into teacher evaluations.
I teach at a university, and I think it's ridiculous to assume that a college student can fairly evaluate a course; I'd say at least 90% of my "negative" evals say that I graded too hard (and my class averages are usually a B/B-). That says nothing about my effectiveness as an instructor, and yet my raises are closely tied with student evaluations. (I mean, when we get raises: we've had a salary freeze for several years.)
It's even more outlandish to suggest that middle schoolers be put in the position of evaluating their teachers.
Admittedly, I don't know the specifics of the CPS situation on evals/raises, but I can completely understand objecting to your job depending on student evaluations or on student performance on tests. I don't think those are fair assessments of a teacher's performance.
Isn't the whole point of going on strike to cause a disruption in the routine so people pay attention to what is going on and put pressure on the parties to come to a compromise?
I feel like if you are a good teacher, then why should you be against evals/merit pay? That's how most jobs work - if you do well, you are paid/rewarded, and if you don't, then you don't get raises or are fired. I don't see why teachers should be treated any differently.
It really depends on how the evaluations are structured. I don't think student evaluations should factor into teacher evaluations.
I teach at a university, and I think it's ridiculous to assume that a college student can fairly evaluate a course; I'd say at least 90% of my "negative" evals say that I graded too hard (and my class averages are usually a B/B-). That says nothing about my effectiveness as an instructor, and yet my raises are closely tied with student evaluations. (I mean, when we get raises: we've had a salary freeze for several years.)
It's even more outlandish to suggest that middle schoolers be put in the position of evaluating their teachers.
Admittedly, I don't know the specifics of the CPS situation on evals/raises, but I can completely understand objecting to your job depending on student evaluations or on student performance on tests. I don't think those are fair assessments of a teacher's performance.
I get where you are coming from, absolutely. I also don't think standardized test scores are a fair way of judging a teacher's ability. I do think that the test scores in their own classes could be a fair judge, but again, I'm no expert.
Admittedly, we are moving out of Chicago in a couple years so the kids don't have to go to CPS. Politics in this city is so corrupt that I have no doubt that that is a big reason why the school system is such a disaster.