Chicago Teachers Win a Huge " Victory for All."

[Smarmie Doofus]

http://ednotesonline.blogspot.com/

>>>>Chicago teachers win a victory for all
"This was a stunning victory for the CTU. It shows what happens when a union is resolute and united, and its demands are just.". Ravitch

Diane Ravitch says it perfectly. (Go to her blog for all of it - Chicago Teachers Union Wins This One.


What are the implications for uft people based on how our union has functioned in the face of these attacks? You be the judge. Is there a chance Randi and Mulgrew have learned something? You may be surprised but I think they may have. And if they have I would join in supporting them.

Diane:
As you may recall, Mayor Rahm Emanuel in Chicago has demanded that teachers teach a longer school day without additional compensation.

For that and other reasons (including rising class size), the Chicago Teachers Union took a strong stand in opposition. It took a strike vote, and 98% of those voting gave their approval, which was unexpected and unprecedented. The CTU held a rally, and 10,000 members turned out. >>>>>>>> More at link



Bigger than "big"? I really don't see a downside here. Can anyone else?

Seems like we needed a solid victory on something right about now. Interesting that CTU is the only entity that seems to be able to provide the profession w. a "solid victory" on *anything*. EVER.

Good on Karen Lewis and the crew. Maybe NYC and the rest of us can learn *something*.

[NJCher]

1. Hooray for Chicago teachers!

And yes, we need a win right now!

Another teacher in a union,


Cher

[Starry Messenger]

2. Here's the link to Diane's blog on this:

http://dianeravitch.net/2012/07/25/chicago-teachers-union-wins-this-one/

From the CTU statement:

nured teachers displaced in 2010, 2011 and 2012 will constitute the pool from which principals must hire the new teachers. “This is movement in the right direction, but this does not settle the outstanding and mandatory issues in the contract,” said Lewis. “It is too bad this solution—which was actually presented months ago—was rejected out of hand. It has taken a march of nearly 10,000 educators, a strike authorization vote and a fact-finder’s report to get CPS to move on this issue. This is yet another example of the CTU’s determination and dedication to fighting for solutions that will strengthen our schools.”

Length of the School and Work Day is a permissive subject of bargaining under the Educational Labor Relations Act, and CPS previously announced that it was increasing the length of both elementary and high school work days to seven hours and 40 minutes without bargaining with the Union. But CTU unity and determination has cause CPS to rethink its position, and the new agreement scales these times back significantly, while restoring work opportunities to displaced teachers.

The new schedules will be implemented with the start of the Track E school year, so that no disruption will occur to students or teachers as a result of ongoing contract negotiations. It is expected that the new hiring will include many recently-neglected areas of instruction, including art, language, library science and physical education, thus achieving a CTU goal of a better school day, not just a longer school day."

That last sentence makes me happy too. Bravo CTU.

[Reader Rabbit]

3. Man, this news gives me hope.

Maybe local union chapters around the country will take note and start fighting back instead of acquiescing at every corner?

[mopinko]

4. i'm sure no one will agree with me on this, but

imho, rahm sorta set this up. rahm wanted the union to look strong, and to be a winner. he is a democrat. really, he is. i think he wanted karen lewis to get out there and tell it, because he thought it should be told.
he is in the vise, the state is in the vise, ctu is really an important ally in getting things done in springfield and he wants them to be a strong partner.
he certainly is too smart to have a teachers strike, or to have his initiatives go down in flames. he had a plan all along.

i guess if you don't believe in obama playing 12 level chess you wont believe this. but as time has gone by i think those subtle moves are showing.

jmho.