The neutrality vote “represented members’ appreciation for two candidates, Senators Sanders and Warren, who rallied with us in our union hall and stood with us on picket lines,” Ronnie Reese said in a statement.
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Despite the Janus decision and years of labor losses, the Chicago Teachers Union has figured out how to organize — and win. Strikes always require sacrifice, risk, and preparation.
The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is bringing a holistic approach to bargaining to benefit both their members and students. This means bringing common good demands such as affordable housing and sanctuary schools into the contract negotiations...
By raising an issue that affects not only teachers, but the communities they live and work in, CTU is deploying a strategy known as “bargaining for the common good.”
Union leaders say that contract talks have changed little since Emanuel’s departure, with the Lightfoot administration continuing a “unilateral” approach.
Union leaders hope that by organizing teachers and staff at charter schools, and giving them a voice to advocate for more resources through collective bargaining, the charter model will become less attractive to investors and public officials.
In the words of Illinois Network of Charter Schools president Andrew Broy, “Chicago has become the epicenter of charter union organizing in the country.”
The Chicago Teachers Union’s strike today is a challenge to the rest of labor to break anti-union rules.
Just in time for the 2016 Labor Notes Conference, the Chicago Teachers Union is planning a one-day strike and citywide day of action April 1. The union’s governing body, the House of Delegates, gave its stamp of approval to the action last night.
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