Thousands of striking Chicago teachers rally in labor show of force, despite tentative deal

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-W Post

CHICAGO — Thousands of striking Chicago public school teachers and their allies packed a city park Saturday in a boisterous show of force as union leaders and the district tried to work out the details of an agreement that could end a week-long walkout.

Pushing strollers, toting signs and towing wagons of children, thousands of red-shirted teachers cheered and chanted as speaker after speaker urged them to stand firm until they have a deal in writing. They told the teachers that their strike was a symbol of hope for public teachers and other unions that have been losing ground around the nation.

“I’m pretty confident that something will come together that both sides will agree on,” said Ramses James, a sixth-grade math teacher. “I believe this is a very strong turning point when you have so many people coming out to fight alongside (the teachers union). That means a lot.”

Months of contract negotiations came down to two main issues: job security and union opposition to a new teacher evaluation process the union felt was too heavily weighted on student test scores.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/negotiators-reach-framework-to-end-chicago-teachers-strike-classes-could-resume-monday/2012/09/14/bb3fa52c-fed3-11e1-98c6-ec0a0a93f8eb_story.html

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Several photos at link.

[bread_and_roses]

1. Good for them! Good for them!

stay strong, sisters and brothers - we are all sending you solidarity. From NY:

http://blogs.nysut.org/blog/2012/09/12/in-solidarity-with-the-chicago-teachers-union/ (with photos)

[senseandsensibility]

2. They are right not to let up on the pressure.

They have played this just right, and if a good settlement is reached they prevailed against powerful opponents.

[sulphurdunn]

3. If they can cripple

the evaluation system they will have triggered a counter revolution in education reform, slowed the advance of school privatization and sent a message to the Democratic Party that the support it receives from teacher's organizations is conditional.

[iemitsu]

4. i sure hope your prediction comes true.

the corporate sponsored reforms need to come to an end. even though there is plenty of evidence that charters are not out-performing regular public schools, even though privatization schemes are resulting in re-segregated schools, even though there is no accountability for charters when public schools are being swamped with new regulations, even though school districts are spending all their money on testing rather than on students and teachers the movement continues on its destructive path.
Alec sponsored legislation in many states including mine, washington, have embedded these bullshit, corporate goals into law.
this shit will be around long after everyone recognizes the damage.
so much harm has already been done to the public education system that it will be difficult for schools to rebound.
i am depressed by this situation every day.
the worst part is that the latest blows to public education are coming from the democratic party.
it seems that there is no one advocating for regular citizens anymore. only the elites have value.