CHICAGO (April 1, 2016) – Today, the Chicago Teachers Union is staging a one-day “strike” to pressure Chicago Public Schools officials into meeting its contract demands. The Illinois Policy Institute is vehemently against the strike, and spokespeople are available to explain why it is illegal and address the negative implications for students. The Institute has studied the CPS budget and its current fiscal woes very carefully, and has produced a body of research on the issue.

The Chicago Teachers Union is putting immense pressure on teachers to join the walkout. An email sent to teachers Tuesdaysaid: “No CTU member is to cross a picket line and each school should designate a small crew to record any such activity.” DNAinfo.com reported this week that teachers who cross the picket line and teach Friday will be kicked out of the union.

In 2012, the Chicago Teachers Union went on strike for seven days and as a result, won major concessions from the city. Illinois Policy Institute research found that teachers received 13 percent raises during the life of that contract. According to a CTU document released in December 2015, this time the union is demanding the school district ban the opening of more charter schools, end standardized testing before third grade, automatic raises, a progressive income tax for the city and state, and for Bank of America to be prosecuted over “toxic swaps.”

Spokespeople available:
Ted Dabrowski, vice president of policy
Jeffrey Schwab, attorney

Illinois Policy Institute’s take on the April 1 strike:

• CPS’ financial woes are self-inflicted from years of rampant financial mismanagement.
• Chicago taxpayers couldn’t afford the 13 percent raises awarded to the teachers union after the 2012 strike, and taxpayers definitely cannot afford any more raises.
• While CPS officials and the union fight, it is the kids who are left behind. No substantial educational gains were made after the last teachers strike.
• The pension fund for teachers is at the risk of insolvency. CPS should immediately move new hires to 401k-style plans and offer an optional 401k-style plan for existing employees.
• If the union and Chicago Public Schools fail to reach a deal that accepts fiscal reality, then bankruptcy may be the only option for implementing the change CPS needs.

• Not only is the strike illegal, CTU’s membership didn’t vote on the one-day strike as required by its own constitution.
• Chicago teachers are already the nation’s highest-paid teachers when compared with teachers in the 10 largest school districts in the U.S.
• The average career teacher can expect to receive more than $2 million in retirement benefits after 30 years in the classroom. Teachers contribute just 2 percent of each paycheck toward their own retirement savings.

For more: http://bit.ly/1MBQQzZ

For bookings or interviews: Kayla Weems or Diana Rickert (312) 607-4977