CPS classes canceled Thursday ahead of expected teachers strike; about 300,000 Chicago children affe

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Chicago Tribune

By GREGORY PRATT, JUAN PEREZ JR. and JESSICA VILLAGOMEZ

Chicago Public Schools classes are canceled Thursday ahead of a planned teachers strike.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she can’t accept the Chicago Teachers Unions’ demands, saying they would cost $2.5 billion that the city can’t afford.

“We value the workers ... Honoring that value is who I am and what I stand for," the mayor said. “But I also must be responsible for the taxpayers who pay for everything that goes on.”

CTU President Jesse Sharkey announced late Tuesday that the union’s bargaining “cannot recommend postponing the strike” because Lightfoot’s camp hasn’t provided adequate resources to improve conditions and equity in the schools.


Read more: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-cps-strike-school-canceled-chicago-public-schools-20191016-hgm4s6o6cvcffhtn5iatp2ilei-story.html

[frazzled]

1. This is a giant mess here

To be fair to Lightfoot, the city has offered a 15% pay raise over 5 years. That would make the average Chicago teacher (already the highest paid in the nation) earn a salary very close to 6 figures.

The union, however, is asking for other things: increased nursing, special ed, and other supplemental staff. (Fair, though these additional costs are high). What they're asking for that's not particularly fair game is something that addresses affordable housing. Lightfoot maintains that that is a top concern for her in general, but it's not something that's part of a union contract but rather a larger picture issue.

The city maintains that the union is not putting forth a counteroffer. The union thinks the city isn't addressing their concerns.

This is worse than the relationship the CTU had with the Emanuel administration. I hope it doesn't last long: my granddaughter is a CPS student (as a kindergartener, her biggest concern will be: no Halloween party!).

[nycbos]

2. Agreed.

As an adopted Chicagoan (NY originally) I would think the main challenge for the union this time is it will be much harder for them to paint Lightfoot as a villain like they were able to with Emanuel.

[mopinko]

3. they're doing their damndest, tho.

[mopinko]

4. i have a friend who is a lobbyist for social workers. also on his lsc.

this is about the trauma that permeates everything in the system, and what to do about it.
the feds need to do like biden says and triple title I funding.
and triple food stamps and school lunches while they are at it.

they keep saying that there arent enough trained pros, but the university system is cranking them out, and they are going elsewhere for decent money.

it has taken a long time to get to this mess. it wont be fixed over night.
but lightfoot is gonna have to put the plan in writing then figure out how to pay for it.
i suggest she look over all joe berrios' deals on downtown properties. that's be a good start.

[former9thward]

6. "going elsewhere for decent money"?

Chicago teachers are already the highest paid in the nation. Where are they going?

[mopinko]

7. not teachers. social workers.

same w nurses. high bar, ok pay, ridiculous work load, and an avalanche of paperwork that comes before kids.
most of those in the system now, after years of shrinkage, spend all their time on iep's and 501's.

social workers are also often contractors, where they are early career, and taking the steady but low pay.

cps has done their best to wring money out of support staff in recent years.
librarians, janitors, lunch ladies.

but teachers know their jobs depend on these people, and the kids depend on these people. that right there is what this strike is about.

[real Cannabis calm]

5. K&R

[ChazII]

8. K&R

[VarryOn]

9. I lived there in the late 90'sand its the same $/+ today...

It's a great city but its education system stays in permanent turmoil. Teachers need to be taken care of! If the money isnt there, then raisesome and dedicate it by law solely to teacher pay. Do it once and for all. Otherwise, they'll be going through thisagain in a couple years.