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Sitthixay Ditthavong / AP
Members of the Chicago Teachers Union hold an informational picket outside Willa Cather Elementary School on Monday in an effort to call attention to ongoing contract talks with the city's Board of Education.
The Chicago Teacher's Union voted unanimously Thursday to strike on Sept. 10, with members agreeing to head to the picket lines unless a deal can be reached with the city’s schools -- a move that could affect 400,000 students.
The result of the ballot, cast at a Chinatown union hall, was met by cheers from the more than 700 delegates who voted.
The decision comes a day after CTU president Karen Lewis issued a 10-day strike notice. Sept. 10 is the earliest that teachers can strike, and the date falls a week after many students head back to class.
"We're tired of being bullied, belittled and betrayed," Lewis said at a news conference following the meeting. "We have done everything asked of us, yet we continue to be vilified and treated with disrespect."
Read the full story at NBCChicago.com
Lewis said negotiations will continue until a contract is hammered out that resolves concerns over wages, job security and a new evaluation system.
In a statement, Chicago Public Schools chief executive Jean-Claude Brizard said: “If our priority is our kids, then strike should never be an option.”
"Should CTU leaders decide to strike on September 10, more than 350,000 students will be taken out of their classroom, just as they're making progress with a Full School Day. Varsity sports for 11,000 student athletes will be suspended. More than 400,000 daily breakfasts and meals will no longer be served.
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“College transcripts and recommendations for 20,000 seniors will be put on hold. If our priority is our kids, then strike should never be an option. That's why we need to take advantage of each of the next 11 days and work until we reach a fair resolution for our teachers that will allow our kids to stay in school where they belong."
CPS officials have been making preparations in the event of a strike.
Brizard said the district plans to keep 145 schools open for half-days even if the Chicago Teachers Union calls a strike and teachers walk off the job. The union on Wednesday filed a 10-day strike notice that would allow them to strike as early as Sept. 10, just a week into the school year for a majority of public-school students.
If that happens Brizard said CPS will partner with City Sister Agencies, local faith organizations and other non-profits to keep kids engaged.
"We need to be prepared to provide our students with services they need should CTU leaders decide to strike, and our Children First plan will do that," Brizard said.
As part of the precautionary strategy announced Thursday, CPS would keep the group of schools open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to provide activities to children and keep them engaged in independent reading, arts, sports and computer-based programming.
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Per the plan, the schools would be staffed with Central Office personnel, non-CTU employees and organizations that submit a request for proposals to provide programming. Brizard said the staff-to-student ratio would be capped at 1 to 25.
CPS also said it will provide breakfast and lunch to all students at the locations and will extend between 70 and 80 Chicago Park District summer camps.
Brizard said he's committed to avoid a strike but says CPS will be ready if the teachers strike.
“These plans are simply a precaution," Brizard said, "but we have an obligation and responsibility to our children and their parents to make sure they are not left behind in the event of a strike.”
CPS said it is seeking a waiver from the Illinois High School Association to continue sports if teachers strike.
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The till has run dry union teachers. Did any of you take a basic course in economics? Learn simple math? 1+1 does NOT equal 3! Jeezus....once again Thatcher's comment rings true...socialism is great until the money runs out. What is so hard for you bozos to understand? Santa never lived, money doesn't grow on trees, and there was never such thing as a free lunch (well, except the poor kids who NEED to go to public school if for nothing else it'll be their only food they eat all day courtesy of the taxpayer. As far as education... no comment. I am sad for the kids....NOT for these UNION dimwits who don't understand you can't get blood out of a f##king stone!
Refer to @realsickofit's comment proceeding yours. Not only will you have more children on the street rotting their brains out, but you'll see an even more dramatic increase in crime. I would rather put loads of money into education than defense. You can pay more to satisfy the school districts, keep classes small, educate the young, or you can pay more to fight crime. Where do you want your limited resources to go? I say education every-time, whatever it takes. Unless you live in a society that feeds upon ignorance, then go for it. Fire teachers, pay them sh!t wages, and worry about going out on the streets during the day.
That's blood from a Turnip. Guess you were schooled by union teachers.
Each teacher is currently making an average of $69,000. They are demanding a 30% pay raise.
@eshay03, I don't care how you spin it this is outrageous.
Just what Chicago needs, a little more free time for the gang bangers to be on the street.
Teachers get the shaft all the time. People do not understand the requirements, the training, etc., involved in becoming a teacher and then they pass judgement. Here's a thought: could you spend 30-40 hours a week with children and teenagers? No. Most people can't put up with their own teenagers and children, let alone others. Then add in the continuing education, teachers conferences (not they have to put up with the parents), lesson planning, grading, extra curricular activities (forced and voluntary). They get the summers off because if they didn't they would go insane. I couldn't be a teacher, too much bullsh!t and not enough pay.
You left out they have to go back to collage every now and than to get up to date. I can see a union in some ways but they shouldn't be allowed to strike when school should be in session. And the unions need to be sensative about the financial condition in the coummunity in which they serve. After all their survival depends on that also.
I say FIRE there A$$ES and replace them with teachers that are willing to WORK. Just like the air traffic controllers that went on strike.
Any government agency that goes on strike FIRE them and replace them. Therre are MILLIONS of people out of work and that are willing to work.
It would be nice if teachers would teach. If they don't, fire them!!!!!!!!!!!! Wait, we can"t because the UNIONS condones bad behaviour.
Let them strike does anyone out there think that anyone attending a public school in Chicago or any other city is actually learning anything? The teachers union is a vile and corrupt organization who hold our children as hostage and use them as human shields. All dressed up in their red shirts, they are nothing more than stooges for the Dumbocrat party. They collect dues then skim a portion and send it to the Dumbos, they in turn make sure that no education reform ever get passed. They enjoy a job that few if any in the private sectors could only dream about. Lifetime guaranteed employment, a raise every year, benefits for them and their families and of course a nice phat pension when they retire. All this for "teaching" 180 days a year for 4-6 hours per day. In fact they are still on their summer vacation of 11 weeks, how about you did you get 11 weeks vacation this summer, bet not. All on the taxpayers dime, and at the same time not taking one ounce of the responsibility for the education of our children. They blame their created failed system on dysfunctional families, a flawed product ( your kid) as to why they don't learn anything. And don't give me the BS about the inner city kids, private schools located in the worst ghetto in New York City perform better than most suburban public schools kids. To learn more about the public school system take a look at Waiting for Superman, a documentary done by the same person that did the Al Gore Man Made Global Warming. Want to bet the teacher could not show that film to our children over and over, not so much for the Supermen one.
Great job Chicago. In a place plagued recently with a ridiculous amount of violence, the best thing to do is to add another 400,000 young people with nothing else to do.
Dear Chicago--GET YOUR CRAP TOGETHER!!!
I'm not so sure I would teach in Chicago today. I back the unions, always have and always will. The last few years have been hate for teachers, police, and fire fighters unions. Our teachers are very low in pay compared to other free world nations.
Most teachers do not get a summer vacation as must people assume. Yes, they are not in the classrooms, but they are taking classes, catching up on the new techniques. Someone stated that Chicago have a shortened school day. Why?
realsickofit. Perhaps what Chicago needs is more officers of the law to get the gang bangers off the streets. I could not live in Chicago. I love my outdoors, I could not stay inside for fear.
I do not believe that they should strike at the beginning of a school year. Why, did it get to this point. Who are the ones not listening to the teachers and their concerns?
A real progressive - FDR was vehemently against public unions and they should not exist. See here they are holding these children hostage and their education fire them all
@slightlyold
Let's get this straight. The average teacher salary in chicago is $69,000. They are demanding a 30% pay raise. If they don't get it they will stop educating the children. And you support them?
Just getting a few things straight.
I think we should give them some more money. Here is my basis. We spend more on education than any other country in the world except switzerland. We spend 1/3 more per child than Finland. Finland consitently scores in the TOP 3 we consistently score in the Bottom 3 to middle of the road.
In 30 years since the inception of the DOE and Teachers Unions, our education system has not improved at all infact it has declined in many areas. Yet we have continued to throw more and more money per child at it.
Yep per the democrat mantra for lack of a real solution and the teachers for lack of a real solution -Throw more money at it yes good idea
How is paying a teacher more better for the kids?? How about showing up, teaching the kids the very best that you can, regardless of your wages? I hope the evaluation system they are complaining about isn't last in first out. I hope it's how well your students did, making sure you worked your tail off, came in a little early, stayed a little late. Helped little tommy on your lunch because he just couldn't grasp a math equation. That's what private sector people do every day-come in early, stay late, help a co-worker out and they do it for less $ (they haven't seen wage increase) pay all or most of their health insurance, etc etc. For the kids is NOT a stirke. Isn't IL broke? where is the $ supposed to come from? Private sector folks living check to check as it is?? There is NO MORE $. Suck it up for now and wiat it out like everyone else. You don't like it, teach somewhere else.
When i was a child my second grade class had 30 kids in it. We had a little old gray haired lady name MS. Steele. She made an ok wage but man did we learn. My mother was a teacher at the same time. I have a much better education as I compare what they have taught my son at 10 and what they had taught me up to 10 years old and there is no comparison
Did they teach you that the only thing that matters in life is, 'if you had fun, you won'? The liberal mantra.
Stop the lies control, teacher make a ton of money when you compare their total compensation to the private sector. Medical benefit, 26 weeks vacation, and a pension, what is that costing the taxpayers? And you keep on supporting them, until the state in whcih you live in is bankrupt.
Yea but sometimes they have to work till theyre almost 60, imagine having to work half a year for 35-40years, must be so tough.
I like the sign that reads "fighting for the schools our students deserve". You would think that students deserve a school with teachers.
I would feel for them, if their demand wasn't a 30% pay raise.
I personally find this whole article a wee bit confusing. I studied labor/union law and resolution in college and found it to be an eye-opener, interesting and thought provoking. In some cases unions can be used for the good of all (not many I will admit); in this case there must be other ways for the teachers to get what they want (not sure about what they want tho), without the students suffering. My experience with teachers has been all public school for 9 kids; we had to stay on top of their educational opportunities because 3 out of 5 teachers had no business being in the classroom. My daughter had a high school social studies teacher who proclaimed to one and all that we had a Parliment in Wash D.C. Whe I talked to the teacher about this she stood her ground on that statement. I consulted with the Principal and eventually the School Board, who merely transferred her to the administration portion of the system. That is just one example of some of the poor teaching we have had. Now, I could give accolades for the many good teachers we have had the good fortune to know - too many to list here. One goes into teaching knowing they will not make a fortune (and these days) knowing that they may have to and will give out of pocket for supplies for their students if needed. That is not a good thing, but many give generously or find ways to raise funds to help the students out. Teaching is an integral and important part of our society and when teachers walk off the job, only the students suffer.
Fire them all, hire people that care less about themselves and more about educating. Public sector unions need to be eliminated along with all the socialist workers that just want easy money but dont want to earn it.
Right you are, every city and state ( I live in NY) that have large lack of public service workers unions members are on the brink of bankrupcy. Big time salaries, benefits and pension that can't be paid. Plus the lies that we constanly told to the public that we need more cops, firemen and teachers to make our lives better.
fire them all..others want there jobs...unions are killing america...
This shows just how much the teachers' unions care about the students in our schools. Get rid of the unions. Thank goodness the kids in this house are home-schooled. Public schools suck and teachers unions and the US Department of Education are the culprits.
Sorry to disagree, Unions offer themselves to Organizations and than it's Gangbanger mentality. But there are a few Unions that do work with the employer and the employee and these businesses will praise their Union. Not all Unions are bad and not all Unions are good. Actually in my life time I can say this, if you want good people you got to put out the cash. A union will not always get you the qualified people that you hope to have.
The Teachers Union. Another arm of liberal cancer. No accountabilty and totaly responsible, along with the federal govt, of a decaying education system.
Let the teachers strike if the schools have someone to take their place. With 23 million out of work, we should be able to fill their shoes very easily. After watching "Waiting for Superman" to hell with the teachers who want to strike and the unions who support them until they do!
Ah, another fine example of how benevolent public sector unions are. They are in it for the "children", thinking nothing of themselves. (If you believe that, I've got some beach front property for sale, in Kansas).
The teachers in a local city wouldnt cross picket lines of the support staff union. So the teachers said FU to the students and taxpayers to support this union which is completely irrelevant, the issue was the school comity wanted to privatize janitors and such to save tons of money, the same people would be hired.
Since when is it the responsibility of schools to be employers? Their job is to create an atmosphere to give the most effective educations possible, but i guess that isnt the unions job, and in liberal states like mine, unions control all.
Again, you the people invited them in to begin with. Everybody blames the Dems for Union Problems, and just how many of these people represented by Unions are Republicans?
This post makes no sense. How did anyone have any say in unions infecting our government? The unions own the dems in a multitude of states and cities and even nationally, that is why we blame dems, most of the dems were union people before entering office.
And youre right, many in unions are republicans, not really teachers but..., so why is it acceptable for thier dues to be used to buy politicians that they dont support?
@6dogs
I understand the argument you are trying to make. However, I think it will be more effective when the employees have a choice whether or not they want to be represented by the union.
You don't understand milidad, if they gave them a choice, they would stop paying their dues, just like they did in Wisconsin.......
Unions are hurting our country ! teacher's shouldn't be allowed to strike ! there pension fund makes up for any wages that some feel are minimal !
Domewars, you say you don't know all the details but will support the teachers on this. I'd bet you voted for Obama without knowing the details too. It's time to raise the standards for our education system, not give the teachers a raise.
Gotta love Unions.....screw the kids....I'm amazed at how poorly Obama's Chicago functions....if that is an organized community I'll take unorganized all day long.....hopefully the kids not in school will be given bullet proof vests to go outside.
domewars........not sure of the details but taking a side........now there is logic.
How about something like.......measure the teachers vs the student test scores against the rest of the nation.....if your up....your salary goes up....if your down......your salary goes down. If the nations students break a benchmark set ......everyone gets a raise.
In essence.....your performance will equal your reward. Handouts are over with.....no raises w/o merit, no extended vacations, no $50.00/mo Health Insurance when the rest of the nations pays in excess of $500.00/mo. Teachers , like in Wisconsin, NJ, etc.....all took hits to balance budgets.....its a trend to get this nation back on its feet again.
Sounds like Rahm Emmanuel is struggling as Mayor.....more deaths in Chicago them ever before, teachers striking....and he is worried about where Chicago folks buy their chicken sandwiches.....i.e attack the man on free speech........
Untie the the Cops hands and let them shoot to kill. Forget the peperwork and investigation on the officer. Forget Public oppinion, they'll gripe but when the smoke clears they'll be a contented lot.
The teachers of Chicago are some of the best paid teacher's in the country ( I believe they rank 3rd in the nation) AVG salary is around 65k, with about a 35% increase in salary after about 10 years on the job. So if you are a teacher in chicago, with about 10yrs experience ...you are ini the mid 80 range, with free health care and you work an avg of about 200 days a year ....life as a union thug is good!
federal employees do even better! they make something like 20% more then their private sector counterparts + a pension + free health care for life .....now you know why washington DC avergaes 10K people per square mile. it is by far the most densely packed area in the US ... a distant 2nd is NJ, with around 1,100 ppl per square mile ...it is a rigged game boys n girls -- and guess who gets to pick up the tab for all this?? you guessed it ....you do !! viva socialism !!!!!!!!!!!!! ( as long as you get to spend someone else's money)
lots of teachers looking for jobs right now.......can their arse and hire new ones.....I bet the test scores go up.....
see if emmanuel can handle the situation and survive w/o giving away the store.....like Christy did in NJ, Walker in Wisc. Gonzalez in New Mexico, Cruz in Texas......all GOP's told them to get back to work and this is what we can afford.....take it or leave it........