CTU to hold strike authorization voting beginning June 6

[proud2BlibKansan]

Karen Lewis and the officers and members of the Chicago Teachers Union announced at a packed press conference on Friday afternoon, June 1, 2012, that the union will conduct its strike authorization referendum during the week of June 4, with full results expected by June 8. Under the terms of the law known as "SB7" (for Senate Bill 7), the union is required to get approval from 75 percent of its members in order to move towards a strike. (Retiree members are not part of the union that participates in strike votes).

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis (above at podium) announced the strike authorization voting to begin June 6, while the union's officers looked on. Left to right above: Recording Secretary Michael Brunson, President Karen Lewis, Vice President Jesse Sharkey, and Financial Secretary Kristine Mayle. Substance photo by Sharon Schmidt.The press conference, held by the union at the union's Merchandise Mart headquarters, included the union's officers, rank and file teachers and PSRPs, and parents who are supporting the union's demands for better schools.

According to a press release issued by the union at the press conference:

"CHICAGO – Today, June 1, 2012, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) announced it has set a strike authorization vote for Wednesday, June 6th, which will be conducted in all Chicago Public Schools (CPS) with CTU members. State law requires 75 percent of Union members to vote in the affirmative in order to authorize a strike. More than 90 percent of teachers, clinicians and paraprofessionals have already rejected the Board of Education’s current contract proposals.

"CTU President Karen GJ Lewis, NBCT, said a strike authorization vote was 'an important step in ensuring the voices of over 25,000 public school educators will be heard at the bargaining table.' Teachers have criticized the Board’s proposals saying they are harmful to students. If the Board has its way it will:

more . . . http://www.substancenews.net/articles.php?page=3310&section=Article

[patrice]

1. K&R and Shared.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. If the Board has its way it will:

1. Eliminate any real enforcement of class size limits
2. Ignore staffing levels in all schools
3. Reject ‘better school day’ proposals
4. Refuse to adequately compensate teachers
5. Refuse to offer job security to qualified teachers

[patrice]

3. More proof of the infinite number of ways the 1% INTEND to increase slavery in the U.S. nt