CTU Strike: Day 2 Update

First and foremost, CTU President Karen Lewis on MSNBC’s The Ed Show:

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/the-ed-show/48996251/#48996251

Some SEIU Local 1 members who work in Chicago schools as custodians are now preparing to go out on strike as a show of solidarity with the teachers

Journalist and author Chris Hedges: “The teachers’ strike in Chicago is arguably one of the most important labor actions in probably decades,” Hedges says. “If it does not prevail, you can be certain that the template for the attack on the union will be carried out across the country against other teachers’ unions and against the last redoubt of union activity, which is in the public sector, of course — firemen and police.”

The AFL-CIO is asking all union members to wear red on Wednesday.

More people in Chicago support the strike than don’t.

An estimated 50,000 (!) people rallied in front of the Chicago Public Schools offices.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants to force more standardized tests and teacher evaluations connected to those tests into Chicago Public Schools.  Interestingly enough, the director of the private school that he sends his own children to opposes testing for teacher evaluations!

More PJSTA solidarity for CTU

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PJSTA President Beth Dimino and 2nd Vice-President Brian St. Pierre show support for the CTU!
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Boyle Teachers in Solidarity with the CTU!

Terryville and JFK in Solidarity with Chicago!

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Terryville Teachers in Solidarity with the CTU!
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JFK Teachers in Solidarity with the CTU!

The Chicago Teachers Union is On Strike

Tonight Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis announced that the CTU will be on strike tomorrow.  Among the major issues is the new teacher evaluation system that the city is trying to implement and the city’s insistance on eliminating steps and columns in the teachers’ contract.

There is no overstating the importance of this situation to all public school teachers across the country, including those in Comsewogue.

The Port Jefferson Station Teachers Association is proud to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Chicago.  Wear red tomorrow.

Wear Red Tomorrow… and a Sunday Night Update on the CTU

*UPDATE*
No deal has been reached yet. CTU President Karen Lewis has scheduled a press conference at 10 pm. The CTU’s House of Delegates (equivalent to PJSTA’s rep council) would have to approve an agreement and they have not been called to meet yet. More after the presser.

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Please remember to wear red tomorrow to show solidarity with the Chicago Teachers Union in their fight for the soul of public education. My outfit is laid out already…

Now for an update…

CTU and officials representing the Chicago Public Schools have been in negotiations for most of the weekend. While some progress was reported yesterday, a settlement was still not reached. The two sides sat down again this morning and neither side has made a statement since then. It is believed the district is sticking to the elimination of steps in the contract, which could obviously be a sticking point.

The “Wear Red for ED to Support the Chicago Teachers” seems to have caught on as locals across the country are attempting to do that tomorrow. There are other ways you can help as well:

  • This site gives you information on how you can buy lunch for a teacher who is picketing.
  • Donate to the CTU’s solidarity fund.
  • Post a message of solidarity.

Finally, as per AFT President Randi Weingarten, the AFT is planning a day of nationwide support later this week…

As always, you can follow the action on Twitter with the #CTU hashtag or by following @CTULocal1. Or of course you could just keep checking thepjsta.org!