Public can see Chicago Teachers Union tactics at open bargaining session
Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union will open their contract bargaining sessions to the public for the first time on June 14. Concerned Chicagoans can attend in-person and make their voices heard.
Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union will open their contract bargaining sessions to the public for the first time ever on June 14.
The bargaining session set for 5-7 p.m. Friday, June 14, at Marquette Elementary School, 6550 S. Richmond St. in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood, will welcome Chicago Public School parents, students and community stakeholders to discuss health, safety and sustainability provisions of the CTU’s contract demands. CTU is demanding at least $10 billion more in spending than the current contract costs.
Space for the event is limited. Chicagoans interested in attending the first-ever open contract negotiations in person may want to utilize the CTU link to sign up here.
Bargaining between CPS and CTU officially began in April, marking the union’s first contract negotiations since former CTU organizer Brandon Johnson was elected Chicago mayor with the union’s cash and backing.
The union’s current contract is set to expire at the end of June. The CTU’s proposed contract – the most expensive to date – is predicted to cost Chicagoans at least $10.2 billion to $13.9 billion during the next four years.
Here is background on what they’re demanding:
- Chicago Teachers Union contract demands about politics, bosses’ power
- Chicago Teachers Union contract could cost at least $10.2B to $13.9B
- Chicago Teachers Union demands $51k raise for average teacher
- Chicago Teachers Union demands parents be kept in dark on curriculum
- Chicago Teachers Union family health insurance about $4,300 less than yours
- Chicago Teachers Union demands $1.7 billion for librarians, climate champions, gender support coordinators
- CTU leadership demanding green buses, carbon-free schools
Since 2012, spending has increased by 97%, but student proficiency in reading has declined by 63% and by 78% in math for grades 3-8. With the costs of the demands outlined above – which represents only a fraction of CTU’s latest demands – annual spending is set to triple compared to 2012 levels.
With contract negotiations ramping up, the CTU now finds itself bargaining with the former employee it spent millions to put in the mayor’s office. Chicagoans rightfully concerned about the futures of their children – and their wallets – should sign up to make their voices heard.