90 percent of Chicago teachers authorize strike

[proud2BlibKansan]

CHICAGO — Teachers in the nation’s third-largest school district voted overwhelmingly to authorize the first strike in 25 years if their union and the city cannot reach a deal on a contract this summer — signaling just how badly the relationship between teachers and Chicago school officials has deteriorated, union officials said Monday.

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis announced the result of last week’s balloting — nearly 90 percent of its 26,502 members voted to authorize a strike — and called it “an indictment of the state of the relationship between the management of CPS and its largest labor force members.” State law requires 75 percent approval.

Teachers are upset that Mayor Rahm Emanuel canceled last year’s raise and that they’re being asked to work longer days without what they consider to be an adequate pay increase. Lewis said other key issues include class size and resources.

A strike wouldn’t be called until the beginning of the next school year, but union leaders could do so without another vote. They say holding the vote now instead of later gives the union added leverage at the bargaining table. It also allowed 1,500 retiring teachers to vote.

more . . . http://www.rrstar.com/updates/x2067834929/90-percent-of-Chicago-teachers-authorize-strike

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Not at all true in this case

But thanks for playing!

[TBMASE]

3. They strike what happens to the kids?

Especially the rising seniors who are looking to go on to college the following year?

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. It helps if you actually read the article before commenting

Lewis said other key issues include class size and resources.

Both of these issues have a direct impact on children. So what happens to the kids? Their schools improve, they have smaller classes, more resources that are equitably distributed and well paid teachers.

[Posteritatis]

5. Best never to have any "demands" at all, I assume?

Gotta love the whole "you're essential, so you need to shut up and take what you're given" mentality.

[denverbill]

6. I'm unilaterally taking away your raises and forcing you to work extra hours.

Not a real way to attract and retain the best teachers. Not that you really care about the quality of your kids' teachers.

[dkf]

12. Goodness that always happens in the private sector.

What do you think happens when people get laid off? You have to do their job and there are no raises.

[ipfilter]

4. Standard procedure to hold a "first"

strike vote before negotiations take place for a new CBA. Media outlets like to report these votes as signaling an imminent strike. My union just wrapped up negotiations last week and ratified a new CBA with 85% voting to approve. Our first strike vote, which again meant nothing, passed by about a 90% margin.

[former9thward]

8. Chicago teachers make the highest salaries of any in the country.

The highest paid makes $413,000 a year. The also work the lowest number of hours anywhere -- 5 1/2 hours a day. Emanuel is trying to bring some sanity to the situation.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/5679128-418/illinois-teacher-and-administrator-salaries.html?appSession=372298574109278&RecordID=&PageID=2&PrevPageID=1&cpipage=1&CPISortType=&CPIorderBy=

[mopinko]

10. ok, be fair here

that $413k is some sort of aberration. i am looking through your link, which is very slow, but the next gazillion or so listings are all administrators. whoever that person is, they did not make more than the superintendent, and every other administrator in the system.

i wish karen lewis was a little more diplomatic. this has already devolved into a lot of name calling. that is just not necessary. or professional.
i do, however, support this strike. although i wish they had waited to see what the offer was going to be before voting, the state of the state of illinois and the city is such that i am sure it will be paltry. this slide of wages has to stop, and it will take some strikes to do it. these guys are fired up and ready to go.
more power to 'em.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. One of the newspapers in my state listed that same data base for teacher salaries.

Mine was way off and so was every other teacher's I knew who looked up their own salary. It had my principal listed as having only a bachelors degree, which is not true. You can't even be a principal in this state without a masters.

So I don't know where that data is coming from. The one I looked at was eventually taken down. Not sure why though. And I certainly didn't complain about it

Anyhow since I couldn't think of anything better than "That's not true!" I didn't respond to the post here. So thank you.

[mopinko]

13. from a linked article at the suntimes

In Chicago, where the typical teacher stands at the head of a classroom comprised of 87 percent low-income kids, a six-figure pulldown was rarer still. Just over 1 percent of Chicago public elementary and high school teachers hit that mark.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/5484550-418/some-illinois-public-school-teachers-earning-six-figure-salaries.html

eta- chicago is far from the highest salaries in illinois. the north shore suburbs pay twice what chicago does. that is the subject of the linked article.

[Starry Messenger]

9. k&r