CTU votes to authorize strike: 6 things you need to know
CTU votes to authorize strike: 6 things you need to know
Members of the Chicago Teachers Union have voted to authorize a strike, which could come as early as Oct. 7. Here are six things you should know.
By Mailee Smith
CTU’s mayoral candidate lost, and now it won’t deal with the winner
CTU’s mayoral candidate lost, and now it won’t deal with the winner
Chicago Teachers Union backed Toni Preckwinkle for mayor of Chicago, donating nearly $300,000 to her campaign in 2019. But Lori Lightfoot won – and now CTU is threatening to go on strike despite being offered a generous deal.
By Mailee Smith
Teacher strike easiest in Chicago among 10 largest U.S. school districts
Teacher strike easiest in Chicago among 10 largest U.S. school districts
Teacher strikes are illegal in 8 of the top 10 largest school districts in the nation. Maybe that’s why a third Chicago Teachers Union strike in seven years looms.
By Mailee Smith
Pritzker contract gives AFSCME unfettered access to workers’ private information
Pritzker contract gives AFSCME unfettered access to workers’ private information
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker agreed to a deal with AFSCME Council 31 that threatens the privacy of state workers and violates workers’ rights.
By Mailee Smith
Pritzker signs AFSCME deal costing taxpayers $3.6 billion more than it needed to
Pritzker signs AFSCME deal costing taxpayers $3.6 billion more than it needed to
By continuing practices such as automatic raises and taxpayer-subsidized platinum health insurance, along with a new $2,500 bonus, the AFSCME contract will transfer more than $3.6 billion in extra compensation from taxpayers to state workers.
Chicago Teachers Union president threatens strike
Chicago Teachers Union president threatens strike
The Chicago Teachers Union is threatening to strike, as negotiations with the city begin to stretch into the coming school year. It would be the union’s third strike in seven years.
Thousands of government workers exercise rights in the year after landmark Janus case
Thousands of government workers exercise rights in the year after landmark Janus case
This is the first anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling government employees cannot be forced to pay a union. In that year, about 20,000 workers from just three of Illinois’ public-sector unions have said “no” to union membership.
By Mailee Smith
Pritzker’s AFSCME deal gives 12% automatic raises, $2,500 bonus to state workers
Pritzker’s AFSCME deal gives 12% automatic raises, $2,500 bonus to state workers
By continuing practices such as automatic raises and taxpayer-subsidized platinum health insurance, along with a new $2,500 bonus, the AFSCME contract will transfer more than $3.6 billion in additional compensation from taxpayers to state workers.
More than 6,800 Illinois educators have stopped sending money to IFT
More than 6,800 Illinois educators have stopped sending money to IFT
More than 6.7% of employees represented by Illinois Federation of Teachers in Illinois are no longer paying dues or fees to the union.
By Mailee Smith
More than 8,000 Illinois workers have stopped paying AFSCME Council 31
More than 8,000 Illinois workers have stopped paying AFSCME Council 31
Thousands of Illinois workers are no longer sending a part of their paycheck to one of the state’s most politically active unions.
By Mailee Smith
AFSCME Council 31 spent just 17% of funds representing workers in 2018
AFSCME Council 31 spent just 17% of funds representing workers in 2018
Union’s own reporting shows only 17% of overall spending went for “representational activities” in 2018. Just what are Illinois public employees paying for?
By Mailee Smith
Jeffry Bedore
Jeffry Bedore
“I became a teacher 20 years ago. And back in those days, you went to a first day [orientation]. And while they were saying ‘here’s how the building is laid out, here’s the key,’ they said ‘here’s the form you sign to be in the union.’ It was an expectation of the job. “I got...
Illinois House passes bill making it easier for Chicago teachers to strike
Illinois House passes bill making it easier for Chicago teachers to strike
Two of the nation’s largest government union strikes in the past decade happened in Illinois – both by the Chicago Teachers Union. And now a bill in the General Assembly would give Chicago teachers more chances to go on strike.
By Mailee Smith