What was the 2012 Chicago teachers strike about?

CORE ran on social justice reform in Chicago Public Schools. Two years later, CTU President and CORE member Karen Lewis announced teachers would go on strike. Their slogan was clear: The Schools Students Deserve. The 2012 strike reframed education reform, not just in the city itself, but across the United States.

What caused the Chicago teachers strike?

The strike began on October 17, 2019 when both unions failed to reach a contract agreement with Chicago Public Schools over compensation, benefits, staffing, wrap-around services such as counselors, nurses, and librarians, and caps on class sizes.

What was the Chicago teachers Federation and what were its objectives?

The Chicago Teachers Union is an organization of educators dedicated to advancing and promoting quality public education, improving teaching and learning conditions, and protecting members’ rights.

Why are Chicago teachers protesting?

Group of CPS parents protest outside CTU headquarters over possible high school reopening delay. A small group of CPS parents held a rally outside the Chicago Teachers Union headquarters, demanding the union not delay the return of in-person high school learning.

What does GTA stand for education?

The Graduate Teaching Associates (GTA) program is designed to foster the next generation of great teachers.

Who is Stacy Davis Gates?

Stacy Davis Gates is the Vice President of the Chicago Teachers Union and the Executive Vice President of the Illinois Federation of Teachers. She has raised millions of dollars to elect classroom teachers to all levels of local government and to challenge school privatizers and union-busters.

What did Chicago teachers?

The deal provides for teachers and staff to receive vaccines, prioritized according to their return to school buildings. The agreement calls for Chicago Public Schools to provide “at least 1,500 first vaccine doses per week” to employees, with second doses guaranteed.

How strong is the Chicago teachers union?

It has more than 25,000 members. Current officers come from the Caucus of Rank-and-File Educators, elected in 2010 to replace the longstanding United Progressive Caucus. From that point until her 2018 retirement, Karen Lewis was president.

How many teachers are in the Chicago Teachers Union?

The Chicago Teachers Union has some 20,000 teacher and clinician members. The CTU is Local 1 of the American Federation of Teachers, an Illinois Federation of Teachers affiliate and affiliated with the Chicago Federation of Labor and the AFL-CIO.

Can Chicago teachers legally strike?

Under Illinois labor law, CPS teachers and staff cannot engage in a strike when there is a current collective bargaining agreement in place. Striking while under contract is considered an illegal strike.

Did Chicago teachers return to school?

Teachers in Chicago headed back into classrooms to prepare for the coming school year. CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago Public Schools teachers returned to the classroom Monday to prepare for the coming school year as their union calls for more COVID protections.

When did Chicago Teachers go on strike in 2012?

After 10 months of negotiations with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Board of Education, the Chicago Teachers Union declared a strike on Sunday night, September 9, 2012, that would go into effect that Monday morning. Chicago was home to the third largest public school system in the United States, teaching 350,000 students.

Why are Chicago public school teachers picketing?

: CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 10: Chicago public school teachers picket on an overpass near downtown on September 10, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. More than 26,000 teachers and support staff hit the picket lines this morning after the Chicago Teachers Union failed to reach an agreement with the city on compensation, benefits and job security.

Why are school districts across the country striking?

With school districts across the country dealing with financial shortfalls and pressures to make reforms under Obama’s program, the strike quickly gained national attention.

How many students are in the Chicago public school system?

With more than 350,000 students, Chicago is home to the nation’s third-largest school system. : CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 10: Chicago public school teachers picket on an overpass near downtown on September 10, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois.