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What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
TEACHER’S UNION VOTES TO CONDEMN DUNCAN AND WILLIAMS
FOLLOWING SCHOOL CLOSINGS
Vote of No Confidence Passes
CHICAGO – The
members of the Chicago Teachers Union’s House of Delegates today unanimously
passed a resolution condemning both Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne
Duncan and Board President Rufus Williams following last week’s vote
to close, consolidate, phase out and turnaround 19 struggling schools.
The resolution voices
a lack of confidence in the leadership of both Duncan and Williams for
decisions made negatively impacting members of the Union employed within
the school system.
CTU President Marilyn
Stewart has sharply criticized the plan along with many parents, community
organizations and professional educators because it does not offer sound
solutions to improving struggling schools.
“Once again, decisions
have been made by individuals who have never spent a day teaching in
a classroom,” stated Stewart. “What does it say to those who
are entrusted to teach when their experience and input is ignored time
and again? The Board has also completely ignored the important
role of collaboration between management and labor in employment matters
and in doing what is best for Chicago’s children.”
Stewart reminded delegates
that at January’s Board meeting, Williams stated publicly that the
school closure plan was not a “fait accompli.” Stewart said,
“It is obvious by his (Williams) zero participation in public hearings
and the vote last week that everything Duncan and CPS bureaucrats propose
is a done deal.”
On the Monday before
the vote, the Union released a report on what should be done to improve
Chicago schools in addition to bringing in national experts in education
from the American Federation of Teachers in Washington and Ohio.
The report offered one possible solution—the Fresh Start reform initiative
in which the Union and Board are working collaboratively to turn around
struggling schools.
The Union intends to send copies of the resolution to Mayor Richard M. Daley and City Council members, members of the Board of Education and state legislators whose districts are within the City of Chicago.
###
The Chicago Teachers Union represents
32,000 teachers and educational support personnel working in the Chicago
Public Schools. CTU, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers
and the Illinois Federation of Teachers, is the third largest union
in the country and the largest local union in Illinois.
A RESOLUTION VOICING LACK OF CONFIDENCE
IN THE LEADERSHIP OF
CHICAGO BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESIDENT RUFUS WILLIAMS AND
CHICAGO PUBLIC
SCHOOLS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ARNE DUNCAN
WHEREAS, the
Chicago Teachers Union is the official bargaining unit for teachers
and paraprofessionals working in the Chicago Public Schools; and
WHEREAS, the
Chicago Teachers Union has entered into a collective bargaining agreement
with the Chicago Board of Education regarding the employment of Union
members in the Chicago Public Schools; and
WHEREAS, Rufus
Williams, as President of the Board of Education, is the senior officer
responsible for policy-making actions that affect the employment conditions
of the members of the Union; and
WHEREAS, Arne
Duncan, as Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Public Schools, is
the senior officer responsible for administrative actions that affect
the employment conditions of the members of the Union; and
WHEREAS, decisions
made by the Board of Education on the recommendation of the administration
of the Chicago Public Schools negatively impact on the members of the
Union who are employed in positions within the Chicago Public Schools;
and
WHEREAS, the
Union has, on numerous occasions during the tenures of Mr. Williams
and Mr. Duncan, been forced to file grievances in order to assure its
members of the rights and privileges afforded them through the collective
bargaining agreement between the Union and the Board of Education; and
WHEREAS, the
capricious and arbitrary manner in which the Chicago Board of Education
has implemented its “Renaissance 2010” program has ignored the important
role of collaboration between management and labor in employment matters,
violating the spirit – and, indeed, the letter in some cases – of
the collective bargaining agreement between the Union and the Board
of Education.
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the Chicago Teachers Union voice
their lack of confidence in the leadership abilities of Rufus Williams
and Arne Duncan as they relate to their respective roles in the direction
of the Chicago Public Schools; and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the members of the Chicago Teachers Union condemn Rufus
Williams and Arne Duncan for the blatant disregard they have shown to
their employees, especially as it relates to decisions that have resulted
in teaching and paraprofessional positions being vacated as a result
of school closings under the ill-conceived “Renaissance 2010” plan;
and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that certified copies of this resolution be delivered to Mayor
Richard M. Daley of the City of Chicago, and to Chicago Board of Education
President Rufus Williams, and to Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive
Officer Arne Duncan, and to the Chairperson of the Illinois Education
Labor Relations Board; and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that additional copies of this resolution be delivered to
Members of the Chicago Board of Education, and to Aldermen of the City
of Chicago, and to all members of the Illinois General Assembly whose
districts include portions of the City of Chicago, and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that additional copies of this resolution be delivered to
members of the broadcast, electronic, and print media in the greater
Chicago region.
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Wed Mar 5, 2008 at 6:52 PM
CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Marilyn,
How much money did you take from your union members and what did you use it for? How many of your officers part took in using the money? Now, I see why you wanted to raise are union dues! You say that the AFT and IFT are conducting an audit, maybe there should be a criminal investigation? How much money is missing?
How much money did you take from your union members and what did you use it for? How many of your officers part took in using the money? Now, I see why you wanted to raise are union dues! You say that the AFT and IFT are conducting an audit, maybe there should be a criminal investigation? How much money is missing?
Wed Mar 5, 2008 at 8:19 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
There should have been a no confidence vote for Marilyn also. Now that would have been great. What a threesome!!
Wed Mar 5, 2008 at 8:46 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
NOTHING! Although, a teacher from the now closing Orr, tried to make a motion to "censure Marilyn Stewart over the lack of union fight against the school closures," during the final Q and A. He was shut down or "out of order" when MS was finally advised by her parliamentarian to do so. When will the madness end?
Wed Mar 5, 2008 at 9:06 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Not for 2 more years at least, I guess then.
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 12:06 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
COMMENT REMOVED -- NO PERSONAL ATTACKS OR THREATS ALLOWED
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 1:57 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
all i know is someone is really pissed off. I am glad I am just a stupid disposable teacher in a probationary school. Not an overpaid clown working in the mart dreaming of the wonderful life.
Can't blame me!
One day the dream will be over and you all downtown will not be to happy where you wake up.
Loyalty is to the members not to Stewart remember that when you ass is fired!
Can't blame me!
One day the dream will be over and you all downtown will not be to happy where you wake up.
Loyalty is to the members not to Stewart remember that when you ass is fired!
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 5:59 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Two things briefly, before people here get dizzy with Marilyn spin...
One. NO CONFIDENCE IN DUNCAN AND WILLIAMS. SO WHAT? As the press release shows, Marilyn Stewart is making a big deal about the fact that she has "no confidence" in Arne and Rufus. But what is Marilyn actually suggesting?
Read the fine print about "Fresh Start."
While Marilyn Stewart may think the "Fresh Start" schools are a cool idea, the fact is the Marilyn Stewart presents the "Fresh Start" schools as a way that the union can work with the boss to fire teachers. This is the classic game of "Good Teacher. Bad Teacher" but with the union playing "Good Teacher."
Given that Marilyn's been firing union workers (from all parts of the union, UPC, PACT, Substance, independents, other) at her headquarters since she fired me four years ago (August 2004, while I was serving as Director of Security and Safety at CTU) while hiring scabs, this should come as no surprise to anyone. After all, SHE'S THE BOSS. AND YOU'D BETTER NOT QUESTION IT. NEVER FOREVER SO THERE!
But if you attended Marilyn Stewart's press conference two days before the Board voted to fire all those teachers (and principals) on January 25 at the Merchandise Mart, you would have heard one of the speakers Marilyn Stewart had at the press conference tell the media that firing teachers should have been the union's job -- not Arne's.
That's right, on February 25, 2008, while excluding Ted Dallas and Linda Porter (two elected union officers) from a union press conference, Marilyn Stewart proudly introduced retired Toledo Federation of Teachers President Dal Lawrence to Chicago's media.
Dal Lawrence then bragged that under some kind of joint management agreement he had reached with the Toledo school board (years ago), he had been part of getting rid of more union teachers in Toldeo than any school superintendent ever had.
In other words, firing teachers is OK if the union gets to help. That's Marilyn's position.
Before anyone in the union thinks "Fresh Start" is a good idea for defending union teachers take a close look at what Marc Wiglles (and the Stewart administration) is doing and saying with "Fresh Start." Listen to Wigler talk about teachers like we were one evolutionary step above canines.
Marilyn Stewart is playing "Good Teacher. Bad Teacher" to the Board's tune, and her lead teacher bashing assistant (one of those she hasn't fired) is the guy she's paying more than $100,000 per year running "Fresh Start" -- Marc Wigler.
Two. ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD. The Chicago Teachers Union last night also voted to support an elected school board for Chicago.
Did you notice that Marilyn Stewart's publicity department (other people can have fund with that one; I'm a bit tired this morning) decided that a toothless "No confidence" vote on Arne Duncan and Rufus Williams was BIG NEWS, but that a vote to campaign for an elected school board -- which would put CTU in direct confrontation with Marilyn's good buddy Richard M. Daley -- gets left out of the Chicago Teachers Union's official version of reality an hour after the House of Delegates votes to do it.
One. NO CONFIDENCE IN DUNCAN AND WILLIAMS. SO WHAT? As the press release shows, Marilyn Stewart is making a big deal about the fact that she has "no confidence" in Arne and Rufus. But what is Marilyn actually suggesting?
Read the fine print about "Fresh Start."
While Marilyn Stewart may think the "Fresh Start" schools are a cool idea, the fact is the Marilyn Stewart presents the "Fresh Start" schools as a way that the union can work with the boss to fire teachers. This is the classic game of "Good Teacher. Bad Teacher" but with the union playing "Good Teacher."
Given that Marilyn's been firing union workers (from all parts of the union, UPC, PACT, Substance, independents, other) at her headquarters since she fired me four years ago (August 2004, while I was serving as Director of Security and Safety at CTU) while hiring scabs, this should come as no surprise to anyone. After all, SHE'S THE BOSS. AND YOU'D BETTER NOT QUESTION IT. NEVER FOREVER SO THERE!
But if you attended Marilyn Stewart's press conference two days before the Board voted to fire all those teachers (and principals) on January 25 at the Merchandise Mart, you would have heard one of the speakers Marilyn Stewart had at the press conference tell the media that firing teachers should have been the union's job -- not Arne's.
That's right, on February 25, 2008, while excluding Ted Dallas and Linda Porter (two elected union officers) from a union press conference, Marilyn Stewart proudly introduced retired Toledo Federation of Teachers President Dal Lawrence to Chicago's media.
Dal Lawrence then bragged that under some kind of joint management agreement he had reached with the Toledo school board (years ago), he had been part of getting rid of more union teachers in Toldeo than any school superintendent ever had.
In other words, firing teachers is OK if the union gets to help. That's Marilyn's position.
Before anyone in the union thinks "Fresh Start" is a good idea for defending union teachers take a close look at what Marc Wiglles (and the Stewart administration) is doing and saying with "Fresh Start." Listen to Wigler talk about teachers like we were one evolutionary step above canines.
Marilyn Stewart is playing "Good Teacher. Bad Teacher" to the Board's tune, and her lead teacher bashing assistant (one of those she hasn't fired) is the guy she's paying more than $100,000 per year running "Fresh Start" -- Marc Wigler.
Two. ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD. The Chicago Teachers Union last night also voted to support an elected school board for Chicago.
Did you notice that Marilyn Stewart's publicity department (other people can have fund with that one; I'm a bit tired this morning) decided that a toothless "No confidence" vote on Arne Duncan and Rufus Williams was BIG NEWS, but that a vote to campaign for an elected school board -- which would put CTU in direct confrontation with Marilyn's good buddy Richard M. Daley -- gets left out of the Chicago Teachers Union's official version of reality an hour after the House of Delegates votes to do it.
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 6:16 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Please let me repeat what was just reported exclusively here.
Last night, the Chicago Teachers Union House of Delegates voted overwhelmingly to support and elected school board for Chicago. While the moofly "No Confidence" vote that Marilyn's PR department is spraying around is basically another example of a toothless bite from a dog that rarely barks, the union's 600 delegates (and most of them were there) voted on something that should be national news: To campaign to replace Chicago's appoint (by Mayor Daley) school board with an elected one.
CTU DEMANDS ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD FOR CHICAGO should be the headline today. The Chicago Teachers Union last night also voted to support an elected school board for Chicago, last night.
Did you notice that Marilyn Stewart's publicity department (other people can have fun with that one; I'm a bit tired this morning) decided that a toothless "No confidence" vote on Arne Duncan and Rufus Williams was BIG NEWS, but that a vote to campaign for an elected school board -- which would put CTU in direct confrontation with Marilyn's good buddy Richard M. Daley -- gets left out of the Chicago Teachers Union's official version of reality an hour after the House of Delegates votes to do it.
Everyone who has been following Marilyn Stewart's career (and administration) knows that her Recording Secretary (MaGuire) is going to try and ignore that bigger vote, and the spin against it is already in play. The CTU publicity department forgot to tell the world's media that the largest union local in Illinois not only voted "No Confidence" in the mayor's two CPS puppets, but also vote "No Confidence" in the entire game that makes the Chicago Board of Education (and its CEO) puppets to Chicago's mayor.
That's big big big news. By six o'clock last night, delegates (most of the ones high fiving me outside the meeting were from the South Side) were asking how CTU was going to organize a citywide, ward-by-ward campaign for an elected school board in Chicago. Remember, last year, Marilyn Stewart gave Richard M. Daley a pass in the mayoral election (January - February 2007), then let the mayor's City Council lackies get a pass when other union's fought against the lackies during the aldermanic races (February) and runoff (April).
Now that has changed. People in Chicago (and most CTU delegates live in Chicago thanks to the residency rule and are politically active in their wards, if not their ward organizations) know that when you propose something as serious as an elected school board, you have to put political muscle, organizing, and money behind it.
Last year, while working for SEIU Local 73, I worked the Congressional election for Tammy Duckworth in the 6th Illinois; then the February and April aldermanics in the 21st Ward -- Jones v. Brookins -- while supporting candidates in other wards and blocking a stupid proposal that SEIU oppose some aldermen with a 100 percent pro-labor voting record in order to "balance" union opposition to the mayor's City Council puppets. Union muscle helped change local history in several races, as everyone knows. SEIU alone spent more than a half million dollars on political action between the Congressional elections and aldermanic races alone. The Republicans barely held on to Henry Hyde's old district against Duckworth, and that was once one of the strongest Republican districts in the world.
But last winter, the big dog that stayed inside the kennel was the Chicago Teachers Union. Marilyn Stewart's brilliant leadership made CTU an agnostic in the biggest local political battles of the 21st Century.
Now that's changed. If Marilyn doesn't get away with ignoring the bigger resolution that he House of Delegates approved last night -- and elected school board for Chicago -- then CTU will have to put its money where its mouth is in all 50 Chicago wards, and in Springfield. Arne Duncan and Rufus Williams are already viewed as a joke in Springfield, and each of the wards is ready for big changes that a couple of dozens well organized CTU people (allied with other union people) could easily do.
Now I'm betting that Marilyn Stewart continues to lie about the union's vote to work for an elected school board for Chicago. Already her publicity department has managed to spin a little story that doesn't really matter (who cares whether CTU has "no confidence" in two of the mayor's disposable hand puppets?) while ignoring one of the biggest education stories in the USA today.
After all, it was Mayor Daley's dictatorial control over Chicago and CPS that brought George W. Bush to Chicago on January 7 to deliver his annual speech on No Child Left Behind. Does anyone really think an elected school board in Chicago would have been as friendly to the Bush administration and its privatization and anti public school agenda?
So let's see how long it takes for Marilyn Stewart to issue a press release and then hold a press conference about how the 30,000 member Chicago Teachers Union is opening a campaign in Chicago and in the Illinois General Assembly to bring democracy back to Chicago's public schools by instituting an elected school board for Chicago.
Last night, the Chicago Teachers Union House of Delegates voted overwhelmingly to support and elected school board for Chicago. While the moofly "No Confidence" vote that Marilyn's PR department is spraying around is basically another example of a toothless bite from a dog that rarely barks, the union's 600 delegates (and most of them were there) voted on something that should be national news: To campaign to replace Chicago's appoint (by Mayor Daley) school board with an elected one.
CTU DEMANDS ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD FOR CHICAGO should be the headline today. The Chicago Teachers Union last night also voted to support an elected school board for Chicago, last night.
Did you notice that Marilyn Stewart's publicity department (other people can have fun with that one; I'm a bit tired this morning) decided that a toothless "No confidence" vote on Arne Duncan and Rufus Williams was BIG NEWS, but that a vote to campaign for an elected school board -- which would put CTU in direct confrontation with Marilyn's good buddy Richard M. Daley -- gets left out of the Chicago Teachers Union's official version of reality an hour after the House of Delegates votes to do it.
Everyone who has been following Marilyn Stewart's career (and administration) knows that her Recording Secretary (MaGuire) is going to try and ignore that bigger vote, and the spin against it is already in play. The CTU publicity department forgot to tell the world's media that the largest union local in Illinois not only voted "No Confidence" in the mayor's two CPS puppets, but also vote "No Confidence" in the entire game that makes the Chicago Board of Education (and its CEO) puppets to Chicago's mayor.
That's big big big news. By six o'clock last night, delegates (most of the ones high fiving me outside the meeting were from the South Side) were asking how CTU was going to organize a citywide, ward-by-ward campaign for an elected school board in Chicago. Remember, last year, Marilyn Stewart gave Richard M. Daley a pass in the mayoral election (January - February 2007), then let the mayor's City Council lackies get a pass when other union's fought against the lackies during the aldermanic races (February) and runoff (April).
Now that has changed. People in Chicago (and most CTU delegates live in Chicago thanks to the residency rule and are politically active in their wards, if not their ward organizations) know that when you propose something as serious as an elected school board, you have to put political muscle, organizing, and money behind it.
Last year, while working for SEIU Local 73, I worked the Congressional election for Tammy Duckworth in the 6th Illinois; then the February and April aldermanics in the 21st Ward -- Jones v. Brookins -- while supporting candidates in other wards and blocking a stupid proposal that SEIU oppose some aldermen with a 100 percent pro-labor voting record in order to "balance" union opposition to the mayor's City Council puppets. Union muscle helped change local history in several races, as everyone knows. SEIU alone spent more than a half million dollars on political action between the Congressional elections and aldermanic races alone. The Republicans barely held on to Henry Hyde's old district against Duckworth, and that was once one of the strongest Republican districts in the world.
But last winter, the big dog that stayed inside the kennel was the Chicago Teachers Union. Marilyn Stewart's brilliant leadership made CTU an agnostic in the biggest local political battles of the 21st Century.
Now that's changed. If Marilyn doesn't get away with ignoring the bigger resolution that he House of Delegates approved last night -- and elected school board for Chicago -- then CTU will have to put its money where its mouth is in all 50 Chicago wards, and in Springfield. Arne Duncan and Rufus Williams are already viewed as a joke in Springfield, and each of the wards is ready for big changes that a couple of dozens well organized CTU people (allied with other union people) could easily do.
Now I'm betting that Marilyn Stewart continues to lie about the union's vote to work for an elected school board for Chicago. Already her publicity department has managed to spin a little story that doesn't really matter (who cares whether CTU has "no confidence" in two of the mayor's disposable hand puppets?) while ignoring one of the biggest education stories in the USA today.
After all, it was Mayor Daley's dictatorial control over Chicago and CPS that brought George W. Bush to Chicago on January 7 to deliver his annual speech on No Child Left Behind. Does anyone really think an elected school board in Chicago would have been as friendly to the Bush administration and its privatization and anti public school agenda?
So let's see how long it takes for Marilyn Stewart to issue a press release and then hold a press conference about how the 30,000 member Chicago Teachers Union is opening a campaign in Chicago and in the Illinois General Assembly to bring democracy back to Chicago's public schools by instituting an elected school board for Chicago.
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 9:28 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
RE: Missing Money
There is no missing money! Last night Marilyn was trying to insinuate that someone is going to be blamed for this, but the AFT/IFT accountants have been there and gone. What they have discovered is that the CTU is spending more than it is bringing in and that there are too many do nothing administrators on the payroll.
There is no missing money! Last night Marilyn was trying to insinuate that someone is going to be blamed for this, but the AFT/IFT accountants have been there and gone. What they have discovered is that the CTU is spending more than it is bringing in and that there are too many do nothing administrators on the payroll.
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 9:47 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
here is a link to the censure motion that was proposed, thanks to a reader
http://catalyst-chicago.org/assets/blog/Censure%20Motion_1.PDF
http://catalyst-chicago.org/assets/blog/Censure%20Motion_1.PDF
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 10:52 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
http://catalyst-chicago.org/assets/blog/Censure%20Motion_1.PDF
1. December 2008?
Somehow I don't think there's a legal career in Chris' future. Why is there never a discussion of issues that would be productive vs. an attack?
1. December 2008?
Somehow I don't think there's a legal career in Chris' future. Why is there never a discussion of issues that would be productive vs. an attack?
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 11:22 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
UHHHH...
#1-Recent membership reports put the CTU numbers well below the 30,000 member mark...I believe that it is hovering at about 24,000. That's the Big Story! Our Beloved CTU is slowly dwindling right before our eyes. Subtract the members that will be struck from the rolls with the most recent school closings and we will be at around 22,000. The focus needs to be on our steadly diluted bargaining unit!....A few years from now, this discussion will be centered around "Remembering the Times"
#2-A vote of NO Confidence is totally useless when it relates to a body that we were not empowered to elect :( It was simply a toothless, meaningless Act! Just something to do, because it meant nothing and will have ZERO impact.
For once, since I have been reading this blog, I agree with George. The focus should be on organizing and Mobilizing the Membership to pressure the powers that be to change the manner in which the CBOE is S-elected and work towards ensuring that those who have been given the authority to make decisions for the Citizens of Chicago are truly representing their constituents!
#1-Recent membership reports put the CTU numbers well below the 30,000 member mark...I believe that it is hovering at about 24,000. That's the Big Story! Our Beloved CTU is slowly dwindling right before our eyes. Subtract the members that will be struck from the rolls with the most recent school closings and we will be at around 22,000. The focus needs to be on our steadly diluted bargaining unit!....A few years from now, this discussion will be centered around "Remembering the Times"
#2-A vote of NO Confidence is totally useless when it relates to a body that we were not empowered to elect :( It was simply a toothless, meaningless Act! Just something to do, because it meant nothing and will have ZERO impact.
For once, since I have been reading this blog, I agree with George. The focus should be on organizing and Mobilizing the Membership to pressure the powers that be to change the manner in which the CBOE is S-elected and work towards ensuring that those who have been given the authority to make decisions for the Citizens of Chicago are truly representing their constituents!
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 11:28 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Dear Legal Beagle:
I am the person from Orr who tried to present the motion.I do not see any attempt to attack but representing frustrated membership who do not see any expected and effective Union action in order to preserve jobs.
Also,I am in service of my membership - I am not a person with any amount of authority and I have no intention to be.
During the public hearings I was a only delegate who presented motions to dissmissal.
I was able to ask questions during our previous meetings and I was unable to receive answers.
I was asked to present the motion to censure on the base as follows:
1.On December 26,2008 Marilyn Stewart sent a letter to Mr Duncan revealing internal Union business and signing the letter "In Solidarity"
2.Union President,as expected,did not testify against school closing.
3.Union President is promoting the outside private corporation AUSL designed to take over closed schools by advertising in the February edition of the Chicago Union Teacher p.23.
Please be advised that I was not attacking MS in public.I was able to mobilize my membership to vote for UPC(99% voted yes).
Given the trust I feel obligated to meet needs of my members
Again ,I strongly believe that Union Officers are servants to the electorate.
House of Delegate is a legal decision maker on behalf of Union.
I have no intention to hide -
Please give me a call at 773 592 0240 if you want
Sincerely,Chris
I am the person from Orr who tried to present the motion.I do not see any attempt to attack but representing frustrated membership who do not see any expected and effective Union action in order to preserve jobs.
Also,I am in service of my membership - I am not a person with any amount of authority and I have no intention to be.
During the public hearings I was a only delegate who presented motions to dissmissal.
I was able to ask questions during our previous meetings and I was unable to receive answers.
I was asked to present the motion to censure on the base as follows:
1.On December 26,2008 Marilyn Stewart sent a letter to Mr Duncan revealing internal Union business and signing the letter "In Solidarity"
2.Union President,as expected,did not testify against school closing.
3.Union President is promoting the outside private corporation AUSL designed to take over closed schools by advertising in the February edition of the Chicago Union Teacher p.23.
Please be advised that I was not attacking MS in public.I was able to mobilize my membership to vote for UPC(99% voted yes).
Given the trust I feel obligated to meet needs of my members
Again ,I strongly believe that Union Officers are servants to the electorate.
House of Delegate is a legal decision maker on behalf of Union.
I have no intention to hide -
Please give me a call at 773 592 0240 if you want
Sincerely,Chris
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 11:31 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Sorry for the mistyping (December 26 ,2007)
Chris
Chris
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 12:55 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Chris:
I apologize. I don't know you but I am impressed that you are involved in a thankless job and trying to make the union better. Suggestion: do not post your telephone #. Email OK but not the phone!
You state: Again ,I strongly believe that Union Officers are servants to the electorate. House of Delegate is a legal decision maker on behalf of Union. I have no intention to hide -
I applaud you and wish we had more members and parents taking such an active approach. I have no idea what it will take for the union to take a quick, active and responsive approach to what's going on in Chicago's schools. But people need to get active and take charge of their future. Keep doing what you are doing.
I apologize. I don't know you but I am impressed that you are involved in a thankless job and trying to make the union better. Suggestion: do not post your telephone #. Email OK but not the phone!
You state: Again ,I strongly believe that Union Officers are servants to the electorate. House of Delegate is a legal decision maker on behalf of Union. I have no intention to hide -
I applaud you and wish we had more members and parents taking such an active approach. I have no idea what it will take for the union to take a quick, active and responsive approach to what's going on in Chicago's schools. But people need to get active and take charge of their future. Keep doing what you are doing.
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 1:47 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Bravo Chris!
Your comments are well stated. With more members holding the President accountable, we can make positive changes within OUR union.
Your comments are well stated. With more members holding the President accountable, we can make positive changes within OUR union.
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 3:13 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Chris, you have been a excellent advocate for everybody in the building during these trying times. You have worked extremely hard to keep us informed about the whole twisted process. Its unfortunate that both CPS and our union have failed us completely during this whole experience. I was cynical before this happened, but this just confirmed that the problems within our schools come from weak non existant leadership-both at the top of CPS and our Union. Unfortunately, they are able to spin their perpetual shortcomings by simply blaming the teachers. When will the teachers unite together and show them that we are tired of being pushed around, that we are tired of being used by the Mayor to push his own agenda. When will we unite and tell the world that we are hard working, dedicated professionals who simply want to teach-not babysit. CPS teachers of the world-Unite!
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 3:56 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Many years ago, when Tom Reece wanted Peer Review, I asked if being fired by a fellow union member was better than just being fired. Nothing with the way the UPC runs the union has changed except for the public messiness Marilyn has caused. Didn't anyone teach her about airing dirty laundry in public? The UPC believes its role is to support CTU jobs and patronage. It has nothing to do with CPS employees. We merely pay the way for them to not teach.
All of you who bought their line of "new UPC' deserve what you get. The UPC should be impeached.
All of you who bought their line of "new UPC' deserve what you get. The UPC should be impeached.
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 4:24 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Warning! Fresh start schools do not protect tenured teachers. Although recently hailed by Marilyn Stewart, the Fresh Start program gives too much power to the principals to fire tenured teachers. If a tenured teacher disagrees with the principal at a meeting, that person can become the next target for the principal. All the principal has to do is visit your class twice and state that you are unsatisfactory (even if you were rated superior the year before from the same principal). If that happens, the teacher has the choice to give up all your rights and be assigned a mentor or to go through the E2 process. That teacher can be fired at the end of the year even with tenure because the mentoring takes six months. If the mentor does not like the teacher, the teacher is dismissed at the end of the year without a hearing! The mentors are suppose to be unbiased but I have heard that some of them meet with the principals and follow the orders of the principals. The Fresh Start program should have been voted by the members of the Union, rather than amended into the contract. The contract states that this program can continue to be amended in the future. Our school did not even get to see this agreement between the Union and the BOE until September of 2007 even though it was agreed upon two years prior.
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 4:30 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
I do not want to be overly cynical, but most CTU members are not prepared to fight Daley and CPS. Hence the resoultion on an elected school board means little or nothing as does the vote of no confidence in the Board. The only possible way to stop what is happening to our union, the slow and steady decline of members, the creation of non-union schools, and the firing of teachers with more than 10 years seniority would be a mass job action.
Such a job action, i.e. closing down the schools with a strike, and going back to work only with a written agreement from the Mayor and the Board to stop the closings for a fixed period of time would be illegal and our union leadership could be jailed and our union severly fined. That is a big risk and very few teachers are big risk takers, so we voted in mass for a President who takes no risks and is marking time to retirement.
The old adage is you can kill me slowly or kill me fast. Most teachers would prefer a slow death for our union rather than risk a fast death or possible victory at least for a period of time. Getting an elected school board would take years and years of organizing, lobbying the IL General Assembly, we do not have years and years left. Time is not on our side. Even with an elected school board it is highly possible Daley would have an effective majority to push his union breaking strategy. It does not address our immediate problem.
Such a job action, i.e. closing down the schools with a strike, and going back to work only with a written agreement from the Mayor and the Board to stop the closings for a fixed period of time would be illegal and our union leadership could be jailed and our union severly fined. That is a big risk and very few teachers are big risk takers, so we voted in mass for a President who takes no risks and is marking time to retirement.
The old adage is you can kill me slowly or kill me fast. Most teachers would prefer a slow death for our union rather than risk a fast death or possible victory at least for a period of time. Getting an elected school board would take years and years of organizing, lobbying the IL General Assembly, we do not have years and years left. Time is not on our side. Even with an elected school board it is highly possible Daley would have an effective majority to push his union breaking strategy. It does not address our immediate problem.
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 6:07 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Dear Tom
I have another old saying “It is better to be shot at and missed than shit on and hit”
The only hope for us is to take a page from the board and destroy the CTU, in order to save it. A good start would to organize a High School Education Association based on the IEA model and completely engaged in politics. Some body today wrote about the fact the
Residency rule has loaded some wards with teacher’s that is a great opportunity to elect friends and throw enemies out of office. But I fear we have not completely hit bottom yet.
I have another old saying “It is better to be shot at and missed than shit on and hit”
The only hope for us is to take a page from the board and destroy the CTU, in order to save it. A good start would to organize a High School Education Association based on the IEA model and completely engaged in politics. Some body today wrote about the fact the
Residency rule has loaded some wards with teacher’s that is a great opportunity to elect friends and throw enemies out of office. But I fear we have not completely hit bottom yet.
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 6:28 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
RE:By 1:04
It is an interesting concept.The problem is that we could face the situation that our membership will be sharply reduced.
So far the CTU strenght translates from our numbers.
We could possibly try to establish a group of people who will work as a watchdog and report any fiscal ,organizational problems etc and act as a House body not related to the Marilyn administration.
We have to eliminate money hungry people who will do everything for a fee. Ask Marilyn to step down or just fire her.
It is an interesting concept.The problem is that we could face the situation that our membership will be sharply reduced.
So far the CTU strenght translates from our numbers.
We could possibly try to establish a group of people who will work as a watchdog and report any fiscal ,organizational problems etc and act as a House body not related to the Marilyn administration.
We have to eliminate money hungry people who will do everything for a fee. Ask Marilyn to step down or just fire her.
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 6:51 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Dear Unionist
Think the time has come to re join the struggle.A golden opportunity
is the lSC election.Next month
Think the time has come to re join the struggle.A golden opportunity
is the lSC election.Next month
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 6:56 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
These are the high schools that met the criterias for Turn-Around by CPS: Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School, Robeson High School, *Harper High School, Hirsch Metropolitan High School, Marshall Metropolitan High School, Phillips Academy High School, Roosevelt High School, Dyett High School, Wells Community Academy High School, *Excel High School, *AASTA High School and *Mose Vines Preparatory Academy High School! What will the Union do in years 2-5 when CPS goes after the rest of these high schools? Just asking a question.
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 7:06 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Dear By 1:04 and Retired Principal:
We have no choice but remove Marilyn.It is a priority.Without her we could start act using legal resources.Remember we could possibly to renegotiate the 5 years contract on the base that it does not exists.
Have you seen a paper version of it?They are working on "wording".
According to my legal knowledge the contract does not exists.
You are pregnant or you are not pregnant -you can not be pregnant only little.
Kick Marilyn and start action.Otherwise we are not going to be here 5 years from now.
We have no choice but remove Marilyn.It is a priority.Without her we could start act using legal resources.Remember we could possibly to renegotiate the 5 years contract on the base that it does not exists.
Have you seen a paper version of it?They are working on "wording".
According to my legal knowledge the contract does not exists.
You are pregnant or you are not pregnant -you can not be pregnant only little.
Kick Marilyn and start action.Otherwise we are not going to be here 5 years from now.
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 7:22 PM
Next 2 - 5 years
retired principal -
Ithink it is clear what is going to happen in the next two to five years. Their goal: 50 schools. This year and last year was just the beginning. It's time all for all CPS teachers to unite. They will find a reason to close - consolidate etc or make one up. Then they will change the wording of their original reason. The whole thing is DONE DEAL not just this year.
Ithink it is clear what is going to happen in the next two to five years. Their goal: 50 schools. This year and last year was just the beginning. It's time all for all CPS teachers to unite. They will find a reason to close - consolidate etc or make one up. Then they will change the wording of their original reason. The whole thing is DONE DEAL not just this year.
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 7:59 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Please take under consideration that CPS placing new principals on the position does not follow they own rules-none of them are already on the principal eligibility list.
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 8:46 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
we aree doomed cps does what ever the mayor wants, the unio could care less. There is no way out .
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 9:39 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Just think about creating brand new union.It is impossible to have something worst we have now.
Thu Mar 6, 2008 at 11:35 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Missing money BS is not true. They're just looking for someone to blame. The CTU is just spending oodles more money than they're taking in. There's just too many gigantic salaries there. Somethings got to give, and no doubt it will.
Also, good job Chris.
Also, good job Chris.
Fri Mar 7, 2008 at 2:41 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
"...Getting an elected school board would take years and years of organizing, lobbying the IL General Assembly, we do not have years and years left. Time is not on our side. Even with an elected school board it is highly possible Daley would have an effective majority to push his union breaking strategy..."
Getting an elected school board could take as little as two years, if the CTU were to organize (and create a coalition on that single issue) to do it. It's a ward-by-ward job for the ballot initiative, then a Springfield job (state reps and senators) for the legislation ending the Amendatory Act. The Amendatory Act was the 1995 law amending the School Reform Act of 1988. The Amendatory Act was the right wing Republican legislation (backed by Daley and some "school reform" groups and individuals) that made Daley dictator over Chicago's more than 600 public schools.
There were other odious things in that law, now familiar to people who've followed such things domestically and internationally. CTU was barred from negotiating on things like class size. Privatization was mandated. (The first people who got whacked were the custodians and lunchroom people. As in "First they came for... but since I was a teacher, I wasn't worried... etc."). CTU was barred from organizing charter schools into the CTU contract.
That law can be gotten rid of, with a large investment of time, organizing, energy, and -- only lastly -- money. Eighteen months ago, the Chicago City Council was a rubber stamp for Daley.
Arenda Troutman facilitated Arne Duncan's murder of Englewood High School.
Michael Chandler doublecrossed the west side by running away from the school closing resolution.
Darcel Beavers was running the remains of her Dad's organization from her City Council seat.
And, of course, Dorothy Tillman was routinely bashing unions and feathering her own considerable nests attacking us.
Where are Troutman, Chandler, Tillman and Beavers now?
So what if Danny Solis, George Cardenas, and Howard Brookins Jr. are still there. They had to run for their lives, and that could have been just the beginning. Daley can't deploy HDO for his guys any more without too many people taking pictures, then telling the stories in three or four languages (HDO was never just the "H", as people on the northwest side know).
Now some of the aldermen who attacked the unions a year ago (usually, in alliance with Daley) survived, but virtually all of them had kept in touch with their base in their ward. Carrie Austin and Howard Brookins Jr. are examples of that on the South Side.
There were others.
There is not one alderman in Chicago who is not vulnerable to a well-organized bout of persuasion -- but not to some dumb bluff, like Marilyn Stewart usually does. And the plan would take at least two years. Also, there are now more than a dozen aldermen who are firmly against the Daley dictatorship on more and more issues. Daley's "base" in the majority of the wards is a mile wide and an inch thick, with people doing his ground level work who hate his guts because there is, as yet, no alternative.
The state reps and state senators are even more vulnerable than the alderguys and aldergals.
There is not one alderman who could face organized opposition. Even James Balzer, from Daley's old ward, would have to create some distance between himself and Daley if the issues were articulated right and the organization done well. The 11th Ward people know that Richie has deserted them for the pleasures of the million dollar lakefront "Museum Community" and three layers of CPD security outside his home.
So far, only Troutman's been indicted, but stay tuned. And if it turns out that James Laskie survives long enough, Governor Blagojevich will not be the only top Democratic Party executive to eventually go down under federal pressure. Do you think President Clinton or President Obama could afford to get in the way of a complete investigation into every Daley family corruption? And each one of the four families that has a member indicted becomes another fuse burning towards that demented babbling bundle of complete corruption presently on the Fifth Floor of City Hall.
It's about getting organized and having a plan for what to do when you've "won."
Getting an elected school board could take as little as two years, if the CTU were to organize (and create a coalition on that single issue) to do it. It's a ward-by-ward job for the ballot initiative, then a Springfield job (state reps and senators) for the legislation ending the Amendatory Act. The Amendatory Act was the 1995 law amending the School Reform Act of 1988. The Amendatory Act was the right wing Republican legislation (backed by Daley and some "school reform" groups and individuals) that made Daley dictator over Chicago's more than 600 public schools.
There were other odious things in that law, now familiar to people who've followed such things domestically and internationally. CTU was barred from negotiating on things like class size. Privatization was mandated. (The first people who got whacked were the custodians and lunchroom people. As in "First they came for... but since I was a teacher, I wasn't worried... etc."). CTU was barred from organizing charter schools into the CTU contract.
That law can be gotten rid of, with a large investment of time, organizing, energy, and -- only lastly -- money. Eighteen months ago, the Chicago City Council was a rubber stamp for Daley.
Arenda Troutman facilitated Arne Duncan's murder of Englewood High School.
Michael Chandler doublecrossed the west side by running away from the school closing resolution.
Darcel Beavers was running the remains of her Dad's organization from her City Council seat.
And, of course, Dorothy Tillman was routinely bashing unions and feathering her own considerable nests attacking us.
Where are Troutman, Chandler, Tillman and Beavers now?
So what if Danny Solis, George Cardenas, and Howard Brookins Jr. are still there. They had to run for their lives, and that could have been just the beginning. Daley can't deploy HDO for his guys any more without too many people taking pictures, then telling the stories in three or four languages (HDO was never just the "H", as people on the northwest side know).
Now some of the aldermen who attacked the unions a year ago (usually, in alliance with Daley) survived, but virtually all of them had kept in touch with their base in their ward. Carrie Austin and Howard Brookins Jr. are examples of that on the South Side.
There were others.
There is not one alderman in Chicago who is not vulnerable to a well-organized bout of persuasion -- but not to some dumb bluff, like Marilyn Stewart usually does. And the plan would take at least two years. Also, there are now more than a dozen aldermen who are firmly against the Daley dictatorship on more and more issues. Daley's "base" in the majority of the wards is a mile wide and an inch thick, with people doing his ground level work who hate his guts because there is, as yet, no alternative.
The state reps and state senators are even more vulnerable than the alderguys and aldergals.
There is not one alderman who could face organized opposition. Even James Balzer, from Daley's old ward, would have to create some distance between himself and Daley if the issues were articulated right and the organization done well. The 11th Ward people know that Richie has deserted them for the pleasures of the million dollar lakefront "Museum Community" and three layers of CPD security outside his home.
So far, only Troutman's been indicted, but stay tuned. And if it turns out that James Laskie survives long enough, Governor Blagojevich will not be the only top Democratic Party executive to eventually go down under federal pressure. Do you think President Clinton or President Obama could afford to get in the way of a complete investigation into every Daley family corruption? And each one of the four families that has a member indicted becomes another fuse burning towards that demented babbling bundle of complete corruption presently on the Fifth Floor of City Hall.
It's about getting organized and having a plan for what to do when you've "won."
Fri Mar 7, 2008 at 7:37 AM
What Happened
Question
1. What was Alderman Doherty's stance on the relocation of Edison elementary?
Ditto on the good job Chris.
1. What was Alderman Doherty's stance on the relocation of Edison elementary?
Ditto on the good job Chris.
Fri Mar 7, 2008 at 7:52 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Bernie,
Alderman Doherty was a hundred percent in favor of the destruction of Edison.
He also did the usual teacher bashing in his remarks at the hearing (Chicago's public schools were "a shambles" before Daley took over, etc., etc., etc.).
He also repeated Mayor Daley's talking points about how "there is no money" for building a new school to relieve the overcrowding at Ebinger.
He also went along with the Arne Duncan lie that overcrowding on the "Northwest Side" meant that Edison had to move. As everyone familiar with that part of town knows, moving Edison did not solve "overcrowding" at any school except Ebinger. And Ebinger is "overcrowded" (like some of the other schools in Edison Park and Norwood Park) because the schools are taking in kids from outside their attendance areas.
Because of the location of Edison (and Ebinger) in the "sliver" west of Harlem and north of the Kennedy Expressway, it was simply a Big Lie for Duncan to claim that the "data" on "northwest side" "overcrowding" was relevant to the conversation at all. Doherty went along with Duncan's Edison Big Lie. (Every other school was treated to a different Big Lie, from Edison all the way out to Carver Middle School, 30 miles away; nice symmetry this year in oppression).
The lies were rolling off Doherty's lips during the entire month the debate was going on. I even offered to take him on a grand tour of CPS construction across the city, since he seems to believe that there is "no money" to expand or replace schools. He did not want the facts, since he was repeating propaganda.
Alderman Doherty was a hundred percent in favor of the destruction of Edison.
He also did the usual teacher bashing in his remarks at the hearing (Chicago's public schools were "a shambles" before Daley took over, etc., etc., etc.).
He also repeated Mayor Daley's talking points about how "there is no money" for building a new school to relieve the overcrowding at Ebinger.
He also went along with the Arne Duncan lie that overcrowding on the "Northwest Side" meant that Edison had to move. As everyone familiar with that part of town knows, moving Edison did not solve "overcrowding" at any school except Ebinger. And Ebinger is "overcrowded" (like some of the other schools in Edison Park and Norwood Park) because the schools are taking in kids from outside their attendance areas.
Because of the location of Edison (and Ebinger) in the "sliver" west of Harlem and north of the Kennedy Expressway, it was simply a Big Lie for Duncan to claim that the "data" on "northwest side" "overcrowding" was relevant to the conversation at all. Doherty went along with Duncan's Edison Big Lie. (Every other school was treated to a different Big Lie, from Edison all the way out to Carver Middle School, 30 miles away; nice symmetry this year in oppression).
The lies were rolling off Doherty's lips during the entire month the debate was going on. I even offered to take him on a grand tour of CPS construction across the city, since he seems to believe that there is "no money" to expand or replace schools. He did not want the facts, since he was repeating propaganda.
Fri Mar 7, 2008 at 10:27 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
I believe George is wildly optimistic about the length of time it would take to push through a bill in the Gen Assembly to take away Daley's current powers over CPS and set in place the mechanism for an elected school board.
First, is that what can be called the ruling elite of the Chicago Metro area, I do not know what else to call it, fully supports moving CPS into what it likes to call a competative system. This elite has money power, and it uses that power to at least make members of the Gen Assembly think twice or three times about opposing things that this elite clearly supports.
Second, currently there are significant numbers of low and moderate income minority residents of Chicago who support the market mechanisms being implemented by CPS. Currently it gives them an option to their local school and many believe that they are getting the equalivant of a private prep-school education based on the fact that some charters and contract schools have mimicked superfical aspects of these schools with dress codes, Latin phasing in some cases, presented claims of vast test score increases, presented claims of its graduates going to wonderful colleges on full scholarships, and have established relatively harsh disciplinary standards that these parents agree with until it is their own child who is not re-enrolled at the school. We and other educational professionals can do all the fine academic analysis we want showing how many charters and contract schools are doing little better and in some cases worse than regular CPS unionized schools and it will have at this time little impact on these parents who are putting their children in these schools. In America marketing is every thing, and charters, contracts, etc are marketing themselves well. Local schools have little concept of marketing they have had a capitive market.
These low income and moderate income minority parents leaving regular CPS schools have no concern about what public education will look like years from now when the only option for them will be charters, contract schools, and selective schools that their children will not qualify for. Prognostic analysis is not one of the great attributes of lower income and lower educated families. They are concerned really with the here and now. Many are lucky to own their own home which many are in fact in danger of losing, some count themselves lucky to be able to make payments on a functioning car, others are barely paying rent and fear being forced into the section 8 housing nightmare.
Third, the mass of not for profit civic do good groups that once supported things like local school councils, small schools, and other happy faced reforms have joined the market mechanism band wagon. Those that have refused to join the band wagon get little money from the civic elite, examples being Designs for Change, and PURE.
When I said time is not on our side I explictly meant that by the end of the current contract the CTU will not have the power to effectively shut down CPS and will be forced to accept simply what ever Daley, assuming he is still in power, and his civic elite supporters want to give teachers. We will effectively be broken by then.
We either face our inevitable destruction as a union and hope we can keep some type of retirement benefits down the road or we begin to take the steps necessary to shut down the school system by massive job actions and force CPS to stop its attack. There is a real chance we will lose such a strike which as I have indicated would clearly be illegal under the current state law. There is a real chance that younger teachers who have little or no savings and owe serious money for their college educations would not honor such a strike. (By the way who really thinks unionized AUSL teachers would walk out?) But that is the reality of the situation, no guts no union. It is relatively simple and not pretty I think.
First, is that what can be called the ruling elite of the Chicago Metro area, I do not know what else to call it, fully supports moving CPS into what it likes to call a competative system. This elite has money power, and it uses that power to at least make members of the Gen Assembly think twice or three times about opposing things that this elite clearly supports.
Second, currently there are significant numbers of low and moderate income minority residents of Chicago who support the market mechanisms being implemented by CPS. Currently it gives them an option to their local school and many believe that they are getting the equalivant of a private prep-school education based on the fact that some charters and contract schools have mimicked superfical aspects of these schools with dress codes, Latin phasing in some cases, presented claims of vast test score increases, presented claims of its graduates going to wonderful colleges on full scholarships, and have established relatively harsh disciplinary standards that these parents agree with until it is their own child who is not re-enrolled at the school. We and other educational professionals can do all the fine academic analysis we want showing how many charters and contract schools are doing little better and in some cases worse than regular CPS unionized schools and it will have at this time little impact on these parents who are putting their children in these schools. In America marketing is every thing, and charters, contracts, etc are marketing themselves well. Local schools have little concept of marketing they have had a capitive market.
These low income and moderate income minority parents leaving regular CPS schools have no concern about what public education will look like years from now when the only option for them will be charters, contract schools, and selective schools that their children will not qualify for. Prognostic analysis is not one of the great attributes of lower income and lower educated families. They are concerned really with the here and now. Many are lucky to own their own home which many are in fact in danger of losing, some count themselves lucky to be able to make payments on a functioning car, others are barely paying rent and fear being forced into the section 8 housing nightmare.
Third, the mass of not for profit civic do good groups that once supported things like local school councils, small schools, and other happy faced reforms have joined the market mechanism band wagon. Those that have refused to join the band wagon get little money from the civic elite, examples being Designs for Change, and PURE.
When I said time is not on our side I explictly meant that by the end of the current contract the CTU will not have the power to effectively shut down CPS and will be forced to accept simply what ever Daley, assuming he is still in power, and his civic elite supporters want to give teachers. We will effectively be broken by then.
We either face our inevitable destruction as a union and hope we can keep some type of retirement benefits down the road or we begin to take the steps necessary to shut down the school system by massive job actions and force CPS to stop its attack. There is a real chance we will lose such a strike which as I have indicated would clearly be illegal under the current state law. There is a real chance that younger teachers who have little or no savings and owe serious money for their college educations would not honor such a strike. (By the way who really thinks unionized AUSL teachers would walk out?) But that is the reality of the situation, no guts no union. It is relatively simple and not pretty I think.
Fri Mar 7, 2008 at 10:56 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Dear Tom:
Thank you for your valuable comments.
I believe that there are some other options:
1.We do not know do we have a contract or not.There is some work about "wording" therefore the contract is not completed.Worth to investigate.If the contract is not in place we could legally take labor action.
2.The other union under the umbrella of the Illinois Educational Association.Just organize the union and hope that people will shift.Nothing to lose is it it?
Have a nice weekend.
Thank you for your valuable comments.
I believe that there are some other options:
1.We do not know do we have a contract or not.There is some work about "wording" therefore the contract is not completed.Worth to investigate.If the contract is not in place we could legally take labor action.
2.The other union under the umbrella of the Illinois Educational Association.Just organize the union and hope that people will shift.Nothing to lose is it it?
Have a nice weekend.
Fri Mar 7, 2008 at 11:50 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Try switching to the IEA/NEA if you want and you will realize what you "had" in a Union....I get so tired of you all thinking the grass is greener on the other side. When you don't take the time to get active and do something to make certain that your own lawn is cared for in a way that will ensure it remains green...you get nothing more than what you have now!!! You get on this damn blog, fuss, and fight and moan, but a contract ago when we had the opportunity to take the ultimate job action, you suckers ran scared!!! Let the Debster scare you all...More concerned with your pay check that ensuring your rights! GIVE ME A DAMN BREAK!!! Get out and do something besides sit behind your computers! Here's an IDEA...go volunteer your time to go down and organize Charter Schools!!!! There's a thought.
Sick of you People!!!!
Sick of you People!!!!
Fri Mar 7, 2008 at 11:51 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
We need to develop a new activist spirit.
There is this idea of " I deserve this" in reference to some mart employees.
NO ONE deserves anything.
We all are to work together for the rights of each and every member. What disturbs me the most is now on a number of occasions I have been told "We have one President and we must be loyal to her."
WRONG!
We elected Marilyn to represent us and fight for our rights. She and all you office staff are suppose to be loyal
TO US IN THE SCHOOLS!
We pay your salaries.
We elected you.
You work for us!
You work for the members first not Marilyn Stewart.
Any deviation from this principal is a direct violation of the charter of the union.
Anyone giving any directives or communications contrary to the charter of the union is bringing disrepute to the union.
THIS IS A FACT!
There is this idea of " I deserve this" in reference to some mart employees.
NO ONE deserves anything.
We all are to work together for the rights of each and every member. What disturbs me the most is now on a number of occasions I have been told "We have one President and we must be loyal to her."
WRONG!
We elected Marilyn to represent us and fight for our rights. She and all you office staff are suppose to be loyal
TO US IN THE SCHOOLS!
We pay your salaries.
We elected you.
You work for us!
You work for the members first not Marilyn Stewart.
Any deviation from this principal is a direct violation of the charter of the union.
Anyone giving any directives or communications contrary to the charter of the union is bringing disrepute to the union.
THIS IS A FACT!
Fri Mar 7, 2008 at 11:56 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Amen Kugler...
That is a Fact
That is a Fact
Fri Mar 7, 2008 at 12:05 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
It kinds of reminds me on the whole thing the Republicans used to give about the need to be loyal to the President because we're at war and our enemies would love to see disension--well how do you think we got there in the first place. Between showing disension and meekly following a union leader who acquiesces to this, I choose disension.
Fri Mar 7, 2008 at 12:09 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Dear Chaos
If you believe we ever had a union there is a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.
All of our contracts have been useless. I challenge anyone to cite me one court case
Our “ Union” ever won using only our contract as legal basis. As far as going on strike
I have my “I toed the line” button from 1973 and have been in every work action
We ever had. But the board got smart and we didn’t. How about this for a little
sample of what a modern union could do: find out the Federal standards for flooring.
have independent labs test the floors we all have to walk on. Then a federal class
action suite or recover substantial compensation for any loss of mobility suffered by members forced to stand up all day on substandard flooring Win that one and we will get somebody’s attention.
If you believe we ever had a union there is a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.
All of our contracts have been useless. I challenge anyone to cite me one court case
Our “ Union” ever won using only our contract as legal basis. As far as going on strike
I have my “I toed the line” button from 1973 and have been in every work action
We ever had. But the board got smart and we didn’t. How about this for a little
sample of what a modern union could do: find out the Federal standards for flooring.
have independent labs test the floors we all have to walk on. Then a federal class
action suite or recover substantial compensation for any loss of mobility suffered by members forced to stand up all day on substandard flooring Win that one and we will get somebody’s attention.
Fri Mar 7, 2008 at 12:51 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Dear Chaos:
I strongly believe that we still have options.I gave only examples.Before taking an action we should examine all.
After all ,Dear Chaos we definitely do not want to be divided and blame each other-otherwise we will be eaten very quickly.
I strongly believe that we still have options.I gave only examples.Before taking an action we should examine all.
After all ,Dear Chaos we definitely do not want to be divided and blame each other-otherwise we will be eaten very quickly.
Fri Mar 7, 2008 at 1:33 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
I recall having voted NO on contracts we went on strike to get. But at least under Jackie or Bob Healy we had leaders who at least looked like they were not scared to death of the CPS. Or current leadership is scared to death of Daley and Williams, no guts at all.
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 12:33 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Wake up people. We are committing suicide.
1. Whoever suggested switching to the IEA is really trying to destroy Unionism. NEA is not a Union, it is an organization. ADMINISTRATORS are members right along side the teachers and staff. Consequently, the same organization that would represent you would be run by those your are fight; you would definitely be sleeping with the enemy. oh please do your research.
All of this in-fighting, all these accusations, etc. are part of a bigger plan to destroy Unions, and you are jumping right into it. The Rod's, Dick's and Arne's are sitting back laughing at how the CTU membership is falling for it. The CTU is not as strong as the Pres. MS; we are strong as ourselves, the membership. It she quit tommorrow we would be no stronger because the members have lost focus.
It is all a smoke screen. There is so much stuff going on in Washington, Springfield and Chicago that we are letting pass because we are to busy whining, and plotting against the current officers, instead making them work for us.
We should be writting, calling, marching, talking to the press, organizing the parents to protest with us. And we should be doing these things in regards to current legislation, schools closings etc., not Union business; what goes on at The Mart should stay there. Instead we hand out the sticks to beat us with; right to Dick and Arne.
For instance, the rally at Push on Saturday. That joint should have been over flowing. That was a good forum with the press present. Jesse is always looking for a cause to stand for. Instead, where were you? Instead of blaming MS et al, blame yourselves. We have to stand for ourselves.
I Walk the Walk instead of just Talking the Talk. I expect to see all of you at the next event.
1. Whoever suggested switching to the IEA is really trying to destroy Unionism. NEA is not a Union, it is an organization. ADMINISTRATORS are members right along side the teachers and staff. Consequently, the same organization that would represent you would be run by those your are fight; you would definitely be sleeping with the enemy. oh please do your research.
All of this in-fighting, all these accusations, etc. are part of a bigger plan to destroy Unions, and you are jumping right into it. The Rod's, Dick's and Arne's are sitting back laughing at how the CTU membership is falling for it. The CTU is not as strong as the Pres. MS; we are strong as ourselves, the membership. It she quit tommorrow we would be no stronger because the members have lost focus.
It is all a smoke screen. There is so much stuff going on in Washington, Springfield and Chicago that we are letting pass because we are to busy whining, and plotting against the current officers, instead making them work for us.
We should be writting, calling, marching, talking to the press, organizing the parents to protest with us. And we should be doing these things in regards to current legislation, schools closings etc., not Union business; what goes on at The Mart should stay there. Instead we hand out the sticks to beat us with; right to Dick and Arne.
For instance, the rally at Push on Saturday. That joint should have been over flowing. That was a good forum with the press present. Jesse is always looking for a cause to stand for. Instead, where were you? Instead of blaming MS et al, blame yourselves. We have to stand for ourselves.
I Walk the Walk instead of just Talking the Talk. I expect to see all of you at the next event.
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 2:31 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Dear wake up people.
I must have hit a nerve with my prior post. Actually your answer is the response I
Anticipated .Whenever someone mentions doing anything new, which will improve
Our lot in life we get answers like this one. Whoever you are how does it feel to walk into
My web?
Any power the CTU has exists only in our minds. Large unions like ours are
bureaucratic and inept by design the one size fits all model assumes that each school
or region is incapable of running itself. The needs of Englewood are not the same as those of Rogers Park but the one contract fits all assures that neither one will
have individual problems addressed. If you think I am wrong when did the CTU
ever call a single school job action?
I notice Wake Up didn’t mention the difference in compensation between IEA
And NEA schools in Illinois at the high school level. The difference in pay is astounding.
Finally the needs of High School and Grammar School members are not the same,
Never have been ,never will be.
I must have hit a nerve with my prior post. Actually your answer is the response I
Anticipated .Whenever someone mentions doing anything new, which will improve
Our lot in life we get answers like this one. Whoever you are how does it feel to walk into
My web?
Any power the CTU has exists only in our minds. Large unions like ours are
bureaucratic and inept by design the one size fits all model assumes that each school
or region is incapable of running itself. The needs of Englewood are not the same as those of Rogers Park but the one contract fits all assures that neither one will
have individual problems addressed. If you think I am wrong when did the CTU
ever call a single school job action?
I notice Wake Up didn’t mention the difference in compensation between IEA
And NEA schools in Illinois at the high school level. The difference in pay is astounding.
Finally the needs of High School and Grammar School members are not the same,
Never have been ,never will be.
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 3:01 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Dear Wake-Up and by 1:04:
Please be advised that peoples at Orr organized action on their own because Marilyn refused to participate.In spite of several calls to the Mart asking leaders to show up for the npublic hearing only Mark Ochoa show up late and left 15 min before his name was called.
The local Union delegate attended all meetings together with local organization.
Marilyn was afraid that her brother Rich will be mad on her.
People will definitely explore different options.It is true that she acts as an agent of destruction and we should take an action as a House first in order to preserve the Union.Many of us already lost the Union membership because of the job losses.Take an action now or will be eliminated.Operation Push meeting was an political against the injustice not because of the schools closure.
The other comments regarding different needs -of course we do have different expectation but our bargaining power is related to the number
of members IN UNITY.
Please think about it.Think quick before the next schools will be closed.
We are in the phase one of destruction and waiting for the next.
Remember you can be displaced shortly .ACT NOW.
Please be advised that peoples at Orr organized action on their own because Marilyn refused to participate.In spite of several calls to the Mart asking leaders to show up for the npublic hearing only Mark Ochoa show up late and left 15 min before his name was called.
The local Union delegate attended all meetings together with local organization.
Marilyn was afraid that her brother Rich will be mad on her.
People will definitely explore different options.It is true that she acts as an agent of destruction and we should take an action as a House first in order to preserve the Union.Many of us already lost the Union membership because of the job losses.Take an action now or will be eliminated.Operation Push meeting was an political against the injustice not because of the schools closure.
The other comments regarding different needs -of course we do have different expectation but our bargaining power is related to the number
of members IN UNITY.
Please think about it.Think quick before the next schools will be closed.
We are in the phase one of destruction and waiting for the next.
Remember you can be displaced shortly .ACT NOW.
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 6:55 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
I am disgusted by the infighting as well, but not for the same reasons as Wake Up People. I come to teaching as a 2nd career and I'm astonished at the devastatingly poor level of leadership in our Chicago Teachers Union.
These leaders are not our best and brightest. They are not intellectually curious, thoughtful, or articulate. They are not critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, or consensus builders. In fact, I can't think of one positive leadership skill they possess.
At every Union meeting I attend I repeatedly hear delegates and members ask one question: "What can I do?" When a Union's members don't even know what they can do to help themselves, that's a problem. And part of that problem is that the Union has done an incredibly poor job of communicating the current plight of teachers (and the Union itself) to delegates and membership. Do any of our officers fear for the vitality, effectiveness, and very existence of our Union? I highly doubt it. If they do, they certainly haven't communicated that in words or actions.
I welcome a more volatile rift among Union delegates and membership because CTU's current level of effectiveness is embarrassingly poor. I look forward to younger, more intelligent, more militant leadership rising up from the grass roots level - people who understand the importance of action, inspiration, and organization. Our members are complacent, but they are only complacent, in my opinion, because of the pathetic lack of leadership exhibited by our current officers.
These leaders are not our best and brightest. They are not intellectually curious, thoughtful, or articulate. They are not critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, or consensus builders. In fact, I can't think of one positive leadership skill they possess.
At every Union meeting I attend I repeatedly hear delegates and members ask one question: "What can I do?" When a Union's members don't even know what they can do to help themselves, that's a problem. And part of that problem is that the Union has done an incredibly poor job of communicating the current plight of teachers (and the Union itself) to delegates and membership. Do any of our officers fear for the vitality, effectiveness, and very existence of our Union? I highly doubt it. If they do, they certainly haven't communicated that in words or actions.
I welcome a more volatile rift among Union delegates and membership because CTU's current level of effectiveness is embarrassingly poor. I look forward to younger, more intelligent, more militant leadership rising up from the grass roots level - people who understand the importance of action, inspiration, and organization. Our members are complacent, but they are only complacent, in my opinion, because of the pathetic lack of leadership exhibited by our current officers.
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 7:30 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Dear Unionst
My heart goes out to my brothers and sisters at Orr, Harper, and the rest.
I know you will all land on your feet to teach at those schools you must be good.
Every time someone comes out with something new it seems there are those who
Want to put you down .No organization of over 25,000 professionals will ever
Be homogeneous we all are just too unique. We grew up different, attended different schools, have different life experiences, but, anyone who lasts a year or more at Orr,
Harper or a score of other schools has a dedication and also I suspect a stubborn streak
which the common man cannot comprehend.
One sign of an idiot is their repetition of something which keeps failing. The same
can be said for a Union. WE must change or parish.
My heart goes out to my brothers and sisters at Orr, Harper, and the rest.
I know you will all land on your feet to teach at those schools you must be good.
Every time someone comes out with something new it seems there are those who
Want to put you down .No organization of over 25,000 professionals will ever
Be homogeneous we all are just too unique. We grew up different, attended different schools, have different life experiences, but, anyone who lasts a year or more at Orr,
Harper or a score of other schools has a dedication and also I suspect a stubborn streak
which the common man cannot comprehend.
One sign of an idiot is their repetition of something which keeps failing. The same
can be said for a Union. WE must change or parish.
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 8:04 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
We have strength in numbers. We are 26,000-32,000 strong but we have families that support us. We should use this size to voice our opinions in a number of ways. We could boycott the newspapers, the TV stations, and the radio stations that only voice the Mayor and Arne's side rather than us. They closed all these schools and there was virtually no press. We could pressure the Aldermen to not support the Mayor on the Olympics ( he is drooling for this) and other issues relating to education. The press should investigate the Mayor's scandals and press him to explain himself. We could provide anti-charter pamphlets out to the masses to explain the overcrowding of classrooms and other issues that these schools have. Would you want your child to be taught by a certified or noncertified teacher? We could fight the residency rule even if it doesn't matter to you if you live outside of Chicago. We have power-we just have to use it. We need to complain about our money not being accurate on our paychecks and let the masses know how incompetent the board really is on a number of fronts.
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 8:26 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Love this Blog
Let's keep the ideas rolling into this site
Let's keep the ideas rolling into this site
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 8:36 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
I agree that we need to get new ideas and NEW people to take charge, just we need to be careful that there are lots of individuals out there with agendas other than helping the members or the students. Let's just say I found out last house meeting who was willing to stand up in unity to fight for change.
Answer: No One
That is a Fact
Spring is coming
Its is time for Cleaning!
Answer: No One
That is a Fact
Spring is coming
Its is time for Cleaning!
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 8:41 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Trash doesn't throw itself out
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 9:20 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
You people kill me. You elected this group less than eight months ago. What did they ever do to give you an indication this would not happen?
Were you not suspicious when you found out their first action was to give themselves a raise?
What about when they gave themselves their 21% annuity back right after taking office?
Were you not alarmed when they didn't do anything about the first ten or fifteen school closings?
How about when Marilyn went part time and took a 100,000 a year job with IFT while still drawing her full salary with CTU?
Didn't you flinch when they strongarmed the entire delegation at every union meeting?
Was anyone suspicious when they held huge parties after house meetings with CTU money for UPC fundraisers?
The list could go on.
After all this, you voted for the UPC again. Now you are bitching. You screwed up. Yes, you are right, the union is the membership. Don't blame Marilyn, you screwed up. Sreiously, stop your bitching!
Were you not suspicious when you found out their first action was to give themselves a raise?
What about when they gave themselves their 21% annuity back right after taking office?
Were you not alarmed when they didn't do anything about the first ten or fifteen school closings?
How about when Marilyn went part time and took a 100,000 a year job with IFT while still drawing her full salary with CTU?
Didn't you flinch when they strongarmed the entire delegation at every union meeting?
Was anyone suspicious when they held huge parties after house meetings with CTU money for UPC fundraisers?
The list could go on.
After all this, you voted for the UPC again. Now you are bitching. You screwed up. Yes, you are right, the union is the membership. Don't blame Marilyn, you screwed up. Sreiously, stop your bitching!
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 11:14 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
How about the electrical fire last month at Hale in the 40 year old "temporary" modular unit. It was never up to code and not in the newspapers.
How about the new demountables that are so poorly built with inadequate ventilation that teachers and students are getting an above average amount of respiratory illnesses?
I stand on cement all day and pay a small fortune for shoes yet the janitors get reimbursed for winter wear in order to shovel snow.
How about all of the teachers and aides who are kicked, hit or bitten by special education students every day and are told to suck it up.
Teachers and ESPs in CPS are treated like field slaves.
How about the new demountables that are so poorly built with inadequate ventilation that teachers and students are getting an above average amount of respiratory illnesses?
I stand on cement all day and pay a small fortune for shoes yet the janitors get reimbursed for winter wear in order to shovel snow.
How about all of the teachers and aides who are kicked, hit or bitten by special education students every day and are told to suck it up.
Teachers and ESPs in CPS are treated like field slaves.
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 11:42 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Union Members, you must fight now to stop these other schools from being closed, Turn-Arounded or what ever! Once they announce it, it is a done deal! The Hearing Officers hearings are all kangaroo courts!
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 4:52 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Dear Retired Principal:
Thank you.We need to clean the mess now and send her to see a woodooooooooooooooo
Thank you.We need to clean the mess now and send her to see a woodooooooooooooooo
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 8:08 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Regarding the IEA/NEA-I am very familiar with the ORGANIZATION. Do your research. Again, they accept membership of principals along with staff. They do not have authority or man power.
I have worked in areas that only have NEA and they were the worst. The grass is not greener across the street.
Duh. Of course we all know that the needs of each school are different. We all work under one umbrella organization-CPS and have the same basic issues. Individual schools with individual needs should enforce the contractual right of a PPC and write grievences, call press conferences etc. Instead, too many of us respond with being afraid, I don't want to be black balled etc. The noisy mouth gets fed.
Again, we are only as strong as WE ARE regardless of who the leader is at that time . Leaders come and go. Until the membership gets busy nothing will happen. The power is in the number. When the membership is asked to participate in a call for action ie phone calling, writing whether email or snail mail, and only 100 letters go out that makes the membership look shoddy, not the leader. But imagine what could happen if 25,000 people called a tv station, wrote to an elected official etc. Leader or not they would have to pay attention to us.
There is all this talk of teachers giving medicine and shots. If everyone of us wrote outrSenators and told them "We will not do it-hire nurses" leader or not, we would be heard. Instead of whining and pointing fingers we have to take action.
I applaud the gang at Orr. You tried. You did not turn your tail and run. And we don't win them all. That is part of living.
Venting Vilma-I hope those teachers who are bitten and hit are filing workers comp claims and allault claims. If the bites break the skin they should have received professional medical attention.
So again, I really expect to see more possitive, pro-active involvement from people like 1.04. Get that ink pen out. Tlak is cheap. I definitly do not walk in your web.
I have worked in areas that only have NEA and they were the worst. The grass is not greener across the street.
Duh. Of course we all know that the needs of each school are different. We all work under one umbrella organization-CPS and have the same basic issues. Individual schools with individual needs should enforce the contractual right of a PPC and write grievences, call press conferences etc. Instead, too many of us respond with being afraid, I don't want to be black balled etc. The noisy mouth gets fed.
Again, we are only as strong as WE ARE regardless of who the leader is at that time . Leaders come and go. Until the membership gets busy nothing will happen. The power is in the number. When the membership is asked to participate in a call for action ie phone calling, writing whether email or snail mail, and only 100 letters go out that makes the membership look shoddy, not the leader. But imagine what could happen if 25,000 people called a tv station, wrote to an elected official etc. Leader or not they would have to pay attention to us.
There is all this talk of teachers giving medicine and shots. If everyone of us wrote outrSenators and told them "We will not do it-hire nurses" leader or not, we would be heard. Instead of whining and pointing fingers we have to take action.
I applaud the gang at Orr. You tried. You did not turn your tail and run. And we don't win them all. That is part of living.
Venting Vilma-I hope those teachers who are bitten and hit are filing workers comp claims and allault claims. If the bites break the skin they should have received professional medical attention.
So again, I really expect to see more possitive, pro-active involvement from people like 1.04. Get that ink pen out. Tlak is cheap. I definitly do not walk in your web.
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 9:06 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
The problem is communication between the CTU and its members. We are relying on a CTU magazine that comes out once a month and a CTU website that rarely gets updated with important information regarding petitions and meetings. I have learned more about CPS in my eighteen year career through this blog (and I have only found about it two months ago) than anywhere else. The CTU magazine pretty much shows Bowling and fashion show pictures, but I digress. I do blame the leader because I think that it is time to gather the members e-mail addresses and send them information regarding press meetings, petitions,etc in a quick manner. All of us need to know what is going on in a timely manner so that we could act and save our jobs, our community, our children! We are 25,000 strong and the powers that be need to feel our power!
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 9:34 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
I used to get e-mails. Now they've stopped. Why is that I wonder?
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 11:00 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
The key phrase is "we are 25,000 strong and the powers that be need to feel our power". We have the control. We just need to use it. I challenge everyone reading this blog to multiply their involvement in the union by 10 and see what can be accomplished. Come to the house meetings, participate without being disruptive. Allow for the committee reports to go forward, there is a plethora of information in them but there is alway a motion to adjourn before they are given. Participate in special interest committees, there is action in them. Encourage your colleagues to do the same. Organize your parents, they have real power. This is not the time to be afraid, and sometimes being black listed is a good thing.
Let's just agree to disagree. MS is the president and that is that for the next few years. The past is gone but we can jump on the present. Mayor Daley should have thousands of letters pouring into his office regarding residency issues. So put aside dislikes and get back on track as team union and do the work.
Let's just agree to disagree. MS is the president and that is that for the next few years. The past is gone but we can jump on the present. Mayor Daley should have thousands of letters pouring into his office regarding residency issues. So put aside dislikes and get back on track as team union and do the work.
Sat Mar 8, 2008 at 11:22 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
The house meeting was intentionally dragged out to protect Marilyn from the real issues going on. Meaningless 'items for action' and long ridiculous questions by her supporters. Do you really think she will be so lucky for the next two years!!!
Marilyn Stewart has absolutely no political experience. The fact is that she was picked by Dallas and Shaeffer because she was the most polished african-american female at the time someone was needed. The caucus wanted the best opportunity to win. No matter what she says or does, you cannot make her a politician. This gig is for a politician first, educator second! Smell the coffee Marilyn. Just walk away and let the only person with any political knowledge take over ASAP. That would be Dallas. I give her 10 months and away she goes.
Marilyn Stewart has absolutely no political experience. The fact is that she was picked by Dallas and Shaeffer because she was the most polished african-american female at the time someone was needed. The caucus wanted the best opportunity to win. No matter what she says or does, you cannot make her a politician. This gig is for a politician first, educator second! Smell the coffee Marilyn. Just walk away and let the only person with any political knowledge take over ASAP. That would be Dallas. I give her 10 months and away she goes.
Sun Mar 9, 2008 at 2:24 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Ha ha, that was funny. And you believe there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Ted Dallas is the root of the problem. He has numerous grievences against him for abusive behavior towards staff. Those very offenses he is supposed to protect us against. He is a traitor and should be put out.
MS may not be the most politically astute person but at lease she is civil.
Again, we voted them in, let it go, we have to much business as a membership to deal with. Issues which we can do something about.
What is done in the dark will soon come out in the light.
MS may not be the most politically astute person but at lease she is civil.
Again, we voted them in, let it go, we have to much business as a membership to deal with. Issues which we can do something about.
What is done in the dark will soon come out in the light.
Sun Mar 9, 2008 at 4:18 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
"...go volunteer your time to go down and organize Charter Schools!!!! There's a thought..." ((Chaos, the other night)
I did that, after the announcement at the January House meeting calling for a meeting. I was personally disinvited by the "Great Lakes Regional Organizer" of the American Federation of Teachers. She told me not to come to the organizing meeting they had scheduled and announced to the House of Delegates meeting.
They (the organizing group for charter schools) do not want people to organize the charter schools. They want to have an "organizing project" where they work. There is a difference. My suspicion is that the "organizers" they have for Chicago's charter schools are really looking for some top down way to get the charter schools under contract, rather than an organizing drive that would let the charter school workers (including the teachers) in control of their own locals (remember, the charters can't be in the CTU, so, for example, CICS -- all "campuses" -- would become one local of the AFT when organized).
The two biggest challenges to organizing Chicago's charters, as some people here know very very well, is that the teachers are churned at such a rapid rate that the teacher you organized two years ago are almost all gone by this year. That's virtually policy for an outfit like CICS, and shows from the data from CICS's north side "campuses" all the way out to "Longwood." One of the ironies of this is that CICS would not be churning it (very young and often idealistic) staff if the teachers had a union contract and weren't virtual slaves to CICS -- until they quite or are forced out, either way under nasty circumstances.
The other groups of workers in the CICS charters (and most of the others) are patronage people who are desperate for work and who are working at very low wages. These people, too, need union protections. But getting the card check majority is difficult because there is a rat in each corncrib. Classic union busting formula.
Anyway, I'm the one member of the Chicago Teachers Union that the Chicago charter school "organizers" deliberately told not to join in the organizing drive. I didn't even bother to challenge that after several stupid phone calls from one nice kids and one very self important regional bureaucrat. Maybe later, after they spend another six months blaming Chicago delegates for not doing their organizing for them.
CTU, IFT and AFT don't really want to organize the charter school teachers. They are looking for some top down way to begin collecting union dues from a "bargaining unit." There is a big difference between the two approaches. That's the main reason they didn't want me near their "organizing."
I did that, after the announcement at the January House meeting calling for a meeting. I was personally disinvited by the "Great Lakes Regional Organizer" of the American Federation of Teachers. She told me not to come to the organizing meeting they had scheduled and announced to the House of Delegates meeting.
They (the organizing group for charter schools) do not want people to organize the charter schools. They want to have an "organizing project" where they work. There is a difference. My suspicion is that the "organizers" they have for Chicago's charter schools are really looking for some top down way to get the charter schools under contract, rather than an organizing drive that would let the charter school workers (including the teachers) in control of their own locals (remember, the charters can't be in the CTU, so, for example, CICS -- all "campuses" -- would become one local of the AFT when organized).
The two biggest challenges to organizing Chicago's charters, as some people here know very very well, is that the teachers are churned at such a rapid rate that the teacher you organized two years ago are almost all gone by this year. That's virtually policy for an outfit like CICS, and shows from the data from CICS's north side "campuses" all the way out to "Longwood." One of the ironies of this is that CICS would not be churning it (very young and often idealistic) staff if the teachers had a union contract and weren't virtual slaves to CICS -- until they quite or are forced out, either way under nasty circumstances.
The other groups of workers in the CICS charters (and most of the others) are patronage people who are desperate for work and who are working at very low wages. These people, too, need union protections. But getting the card check majority is difficult because there is a rat in each corncrib. Classic union busting formula.
Anyway, I'm the one member of the Chicago Teachers Union that the Chicago charter school "organizers" deliberately told not to join in the organizing drive. I didn't even bother to challenge that after several stupid phone calls from one nice kids and one very self important regional bureaucrat. Maybe later, after they spend another six months blaming Chicago delegates for not doing their organizing for them.
CTU, IFT and AFT don't really want to organize the charter school teachers. They are looking for some top down way to begin collecting union dues from a "bargaining unit." There is a big difference between the two approaches. That's the main reason they didn't want me near their "organizing."
Sun Mar 9, 2008 at 5:22 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
While these comments are refreshing, I sense a lot of frustration in the members. I'm hoping we will not give up looking for solutions. Yes, I agree that the school closings appear to be part of a master plan, that parallels the gentification of the city. Cooperate greed, irresponsible developers, top heavy administrations draining budgets and sacrificing teachers and students are causing the problem, we are experiencing in the economy and the schools. After watching parents scream about their childrens safefty, being bussed to violent neignborhoods, teachers complaining about being displaced I get the feeling we are screaming in cyberspace, and no one is listening or even cares. I realized that the teacher bashing we experience was motivated by consultants selling their products to the board, most of them were similiar to snake oil salesment. If their theories didn't work in the probation schools "blame the teachers". Here's a thought, lets tell the Govenor who seems to be the maverik in politics, the state owns the schools anyway, perhaps he can figure out the logic of these school closings, that result in teachers being fired and adding two more administrators to a school building that used to have one.
Sun Mar 9, 2008 at 10:02 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Hello.
I hope we have a chance to make our Union better by taking few simple steps:
1.Amending the Union constitution by adding the recall/impeach clause.At this time the leadership does not have to bother because they now that such possibility does not exist.
2.Second -train delegates about the Union constitution and parlamentary process/rules .At this time half of the House does not know what happened around.
3.Put Marilyn on trail for hiring the person who crossed the picket line (1987).
3.Put Marilyn on trail because of the huge debt she caused $4millions plus undisclosed loans about another $2millions.
She decided to have power as a President so anything is her false no need to blame others.
We know that she will be the judge in her own case.Most important think is to publish documents and let people aware whats going on.
4.Continue the motion/motions to censure.She must understand that she has the ability to delay but not to avoid.
We need more people who are not afraid to present anything seems necessary.
5.Create the Independent Teacher Caucus and coordinate the informational efforts by communicating with membership in the proper way.We have to let people know how many high paid staffers protecting Marilyn (who has undisclosed IQ)on the cost of the Union-what translates to money from our pockets.
I will try to organize in order to create honest and effective group.
The new webpage will inform membership including posting any document unknown to majority at this time.
Cudos to George Smith who is only one source of reliable information at this time.
Rid of rats before their will eat you.If you do not know whats going on you can be sure that the answer is MONEY.NOT YOU.
I hope we have a chance to make our Union better by taking few simple steps:
1.Amending the Union constitution by adding the recall/impeach clause.At this time the leadership does not have to bother because they now that such possibility does not exist.
2.Second -train delegates about the Union constitution and parlamentary process/rules .At this time half of the House does not know what happened around.
3.Put Marilyn on trail for hiring the person who crossed the picket line (1987).
3.Put Marilyn on trail because of the huge debt she caused $4millions plus undisclosed loans about another $2millions.
She decided to have power as a President so anything is her false no need to blame others.
We know that she will be the judge in her own case.Most important think is to publish documents and let people aware whats going on.
4.Continue the motion/motions to censure.She must understand that she has the ability to delay but not to avoid.
We need more people who are not afraid to present anything seems necessary.
5.Create the Independent Teacher Caucus and coordinate the informational efforts by communicating with membership in the proper way.We have to let people know how many high paid staffers protecting Marilyn (who has undisclosed IQ)on the cost of the Union-what translates to money from our pockets.
I will try to organize in order to create honest and effective group.
The new webpage will inform membership including posting any document unknown to majority at this time.
Cudos to George Smith who is only one source of reliable information at this time.
Rid of rats before their will eat you.If you do not know whats going on you can be sure that the answer is MONEY.NOT YOU.
Sun Mar 9, 2008 at 11:29 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Great debate - Crises can also bring out the best in people. I remember reading on this blog last year during the CTU elections where so many teachers were slamming Lynch for the contract where probationary teachers can get fired for no reason at all. Lots of teachers complained and supported Marilyn - great politicking UPC! It's obviously silly because teacher evaluations are always subjective, so if the principal wants to get rid of you, he or she can now just as easily as under the Lynch contract.
As a member of the Ren 2010 committee for the union, we knew the UPC was never serious about challenging Daley's plan to destroy our jobs and public education. I can hit myself for not speaking up at the delegates meeting on the contract vote and not telling the delegates that no stipulation in the contract to stop school closings will mean the end of this union.
Now the tides are turning, more teachers are seeing - many of those who voted for Marilyn - that the UPC is not standing up for the teachers and challenging Daley's plan to close as many schools as possible. People have to understand Daley hates public education - remember his quote way back when that high school here is boring - so he wants to privatize as much as possible. Arne and Rufus are his vehicles and the corporate media his medium. The UPC is also part of that plan - looking out for themselves first and screwing the rest of us. The UPC brilliantly played the "me first" vote by focusing on principal being able to fire teachers with no reason and steered clear from the big picture of the union being slowly (now quickly) destroyed (5 year contract - 5 year closing plan).
So now people are pissed at Stewart and the UPC. No time for lamenting the past and our stupidity in voting for this insane contract and idiot president. Now is the time to take control ourselves. We need to take power, organize ourselves and challenge these m%$fers! Teachers are seeing the light now during this onslaught on Chicago public education - so let's organize ourselves and take out these pathetic jerks masquerading as our union leaders!
As a member of the Ren 2010 committee for the union, we knew the UPC was never serious about challenging Daley's plan to destroy our jobs and public education. I can hit myself for not speaking up at the delegates meeting on the contract vote and not telling the delegates that no stipulation in the contract to stop school closings will mean the end of this union.
Now the tides are turning, more teachers are seeing - many of those who voted for Marilyn - that the UPC is not standing up for the teachers and challenging Daley's plan to close as many schools as possible. People have to understand Daley hates public education - remember his quote way back when that high school here is boring - so he wants to privatize as much as possible. Arne and Rufus are his vehicles and the corporate media his medium. The UPC is also part of that plan - looking out for themselves first and screwing the rest of us. The UPC brilliantly played the "me first" vote by focusing on principal being able to fire teachers with no reason and steered clear from the big picture of the union being slowly (now quickly) destroyed (5 year contract - 5 year closing plan).
So now people are pissed at Stewart and the UPC. No time for lamenting the past and our stupidity in voting for this insane contract and idiot president. Now is the time to take control ourselves. We need to take power, organize ourselves and challenge these m%$fers! Teachers are seeing the light now during this onslaught on Chicago public education - so let's organize ourselves and take out these pathetic jerks masquerading as our union leaders!
Sun Mar 9, 2008 at 2:46 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
George, perhaps it is a matter of your pending lawsuit filed against the
ctu that would eliminate you from any committee. Your ego is so inflated that your "hot wind" would blow everyone out of the room.
Perhaps if people really knew of your personal and professional history
you might want to actually put a fact or two in your rants occasionally.
ctu that would eliminate you from any committee. Your ego is so inflated that your "hot wind" would blow everyone out of the room.
Perhaps if people really knew of your personal and professional history
you might want to actually put a fact or two in your rants occasionally.
Sun Mar 9, 2008 at 4:33 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Good afternoon:
I am proud to have a honor to represent the Orr membership
and also (I hope)others without the courage to stand.There is a new yahoogroup UnionismAndJustice@yahoogroups.com.
Send your e mail before Alexander will cut me off.
Sorry Alexander for breaking your rules.
If you could please attend the court session on Wed.at 10:00A.M Daley Center Rm 2311(Rm # will be confirmed).
Show your support for the public schools system.
Do not be afraid -you are going be eaten doing nothing
In Unity
Chris
I am proud to have a honor to represent the Orr membership
and also (I hope)others without the courage to stand.There is a new yahoogroup UnionismAndJustice@yahoogroups.com.
Send your e mail before Alexander will cut me off.
Sorry Alexander for breaking your rules.
If you could please attend the court session on Wed.at 10:00A.M Daley Center Rm 2311(Rm # will be confirmed).
Show your support for the public schools system.
Do not be afraid -you are going be eaten doing nothing
In Unity
Chris
Sun Mar 9, 2008 at 5:48 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Dr Kugler;
It is a lawsuit regarding limiting by the CPS the power of the LSC initiated by the Moce Vines(Orr)LSC.
Possibility of the injunction (the whole process of turn around)
It is a lawsuit regarding limiting by the CPS the power of the LSC initiated by the Moce Vines(Orr)LSC.
Possibility of the injunction (the whole process of turn around)
Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 2:42 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
"...George, perhaps it is a matter of your pending lawsuit filed against the ctu that would eliminate you from any committee..." (too much George, yesterday).
Dear "Too"...
Couple of facts to cheer you up.
First, there is no "pending lawsuit." I won back in January. Ask Marilyn.
Two, the question on the thread was organizing the charter schools in Chicago. AFT's "Great Lakes Organizer" personally called to told me not to come to the meeting last month, even though I had had a lengthy conversation with one of the "organizers" about attending.
And since that lawsuit against CTU had already been decided by a judge, it couldn't have been a factor at all. Basically, from what I can get, AFT and IFT are doing just fine organizing Chicago's charter schools and don't need help from anybody who knows a lot about Chicago and Chicago's public schools.
So be it. My offer to help still stands. Charter school workers need union contracts. All of them, not just the ones who bring in company unions via Green Dot.
Dear "Too"...
Couple of facts to cheer you up.
First, there is no "pending lawsuit." I won back in January. Ask Marilyn.
Two, the question on the thread was organizing the charter schools in Chicago. AFT's "Great Lakes Organizer" personally called to told me not to come to the meeting last month, even though I had had a lengthy conversation with one of the "organizers" about attending.
And since that lawsuit against CTU had already been decided by a judge, it couldn't have been a factor at all. Basically, from what I can get, AFT and IFT are doing just fine organizing Chicago's charter schools and don't need help from anybody who knows a lot about Chicago and Chicago's public schools.
So be it. My offer to help still stands. Charter school workers need union contracts. All of them, not just the ones who bring in company unions via Green Dot.
Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 2:57 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
"If you could please attend the court session on Wed.at 10:00A.M Daley Center Rm 2311(Rm # will be confirmed).
Show your support for the public schools system..." (Chris, yesterday, about tomorrow).
I'll be there Chris.
One of the things we need to talk about is how Arne and his staff cooked the books against the eight schools that were reconstituted by Board vote two weeks ago. One of the most important things is the resume of each of the main experts Arne trotted out during the hearings: research, analysis and accountability; demographics.
There is a reason why CPS for more than ten years has gotten its "accountability" chiefs from Power Point experts who would find some advanced statistics classes challenging and their "demographics" experts from the same array of talent. Find one professional association that either of these two has presented at or one peer reviewed research piece that either of them has ever published. Major scam this one. These are commissars, not professionals. If your lawsuit goes anywhere, even the rest of Chicago's media will have a hard time ignoring some simple facts, both about the staffing and about the claims arising from the cooking of the famous "data."
As you all at Orr (and five other locations) know, it was about cooking the books to create evidence that was used against you.
My favorite cooking of the books was the claim (at the Board meeting it was made by Barbara Eason Watkins) that test scores were not the only "objective" measure for the closings. She also cited some stuff about how the "average" student at each of the schools had been absent more than 30 days last school year. Arne repeats that talking point mindlessly at every media event his handlers put him in front of.
As you know, at most of the schools there has not been one student who is actually absent that many days. The way they get that "average" number is by taking total absences for all the students. But since the absences are distributed to what amounts to a bi-modal curve (not something the current chiefs at "research" know much about, since none does any work any more that's peer reviewed -- too risky on the "accountability" end) what you actually have is what you see in most of your classes:
A handful of the kids are absent more than 100 days.
The majority are absent a few days.
And the best students are never absent.
It's that always absent handful (usually those CPS forces on to the books of the general high schools and community elementary schools, often after they've been forced out of the selectives and charters) that breaks the curve. I'm betting that CPS even has carried some kids in that "huge absence" range on the books after they were dead.
That's how you get blamed for that "average" absence by those who cook the books for corporate school reform in Chicago. It's an Enron game all along, even though Enron's been dead more than seven years, along with their infamous accounting firm (which also, you might like to know, audited CPS under Paul Vallas).
You can also throw in the fact that CPS doesn't have truant officers to reduce these enormous "absences." But as I've watched the rhetoric about student absences from Arne Duncan escalate (now to the point where he's closing schools because teachers and principals aren't good truant officers), I've become convinced that they wanted to have these attendance problems and that the last thing they will do is restore truant officers who would actually track down the most at risk kids. After all, if you track down kids who are discouraged (or fearful), you might discover that Mayor Daley's "accountability" standards have discouraged many or them, and that they are afraid to try and get to school because all those gang bangers Mayor Daley failed to roll back in a quarter century are running the streets, while hollow cries for "gun control" echo in the media echo chambers.
Show your support for the public schools system..." (Chris, yesterday, about tomorrow).
I'll be there Chris.
One of the things we need to talk about is how Arne and his staff cooked the books against the eight schools that were reconstituted by Board vote two weeks ago. One of the most important things is the resume of each of the main experts Arne trotted out during the hearings: research, analysis and accountability; demographics.
There is a reason why CPS for more than ten years has gotten its "accountability" chiefs from Power Point experts who would find some advanced statistics classes challenging and their "demographics" experts from the same array of talent. Find one professional association that either of these two has presented at or one peer reviewed research piece that either of them has ever published. Major scam this one. These are commissars, not professionals. If your lawsuit goes anywhere, even the rest of Chicago's media will have a hard time ignoring some simple facts, both about the staffing and about the claims arising from the cooking of the famous "data."
As you all at Orr (and five other locations) know, it was about cooking the books to create evidence that was used against you.
My favorite cooking of the books was the claim (at the Board meeting it was made by Barbara Eason Watkins) that test scores were not the only "objective" measure for the closings. She also cited some stuff about how the "average" student at each of the schools had been absent more than 30 days last school year. Arne repeats that talking point mindlessly at every media event his handlers put him in front of.
As you know, at most of the schools there has not been one student who is actually absent that many days. The way they get that "average" number is by taking total absences for all the students. But since the absences are distributed to what amounts to a bi-modal curve (not something the current chiefs at "research" know much about, since none does any work any more that's peer reviewed -- too risky on the "accountability" end) what you actually have is what you see in most of your classes:
A handful of the kids are absent more than 100 days.
The majority are absent a few days.
And the best students are never absent.
It's that always absent handful (usually those CPS forces on to the books of the general high schools and community elementary schools, often after they've been forced out of the selectives and charters) that breaks the curve. I'm betting that CPS even has carried some kids in that "huge absence" range on the books after they were dead.
That's how you get blamed for that "average" absence by those who cook the books for corporate school reform in Chicago. It's an Enron game all along, even though Enron's been dead more than seven years, along with their infamous accounting firm (which also, you might like to know, audited CPS under Paul Vallas).
You can also throw in the fact that CPS doesn't have truant officers to reduce these enormous "absences." But as I've watched the rhetoric about student absences from Arne Duncan escalate (now to the point where he's closing schools because teachers and principals aren't good truant officers), I've become convinced that they wanted to have these attendance problems and that the last thing they will do is restore truant officers who would actually track down the most at risk kids. After all, if you track down kids who are discouraged (or fearful), you might discover that Mayor Daley's "accountability" standards have discouraged many or them, and that they are afraid to try and get to school because all those gang bangers Mayor Daley failed to roll back in a quarter century are running the streets, while hollow cries for "gun control" echo in the media echo chambers.
Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 8:32 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
"Charter school workers need union contracts. All of them, not just the ones who bring in company unions via Green Dot." - George
What if we don't want unions? The majority of my colleagues that I've spoken to about this subject really are not interested in unions. And frankly, those of us who have also taught in CPS and were a part of CTU want unions in our school even less.
Is there going to be a hostile take over by the unions for all of us who "need" unions, but don't want them? A little presumptuous to assume what any of us "need" without consulting us first.
Thanks, but no thanks George, I and most of my colleagues will take a rain check for the time being. I know no one will believe this, but where I work if you do your job well and work hard you get rewarded, if you don't you get fired. In my three years here, I haven't seen anyone get fired without due cause or for personal reasons. I feel protected by the work that I do.
What if we don't want unions? The majority of my colleagues that I've spoken to about this subject really are not interested in unions. And frankly, those of us who have also taught in CPS and were a part of CTU want unions in our school even less.
Is there going to be a hostile take over by the unions for all of us who "need" unions, but don't want them? A little presumptuous to assume what any of us "need" without consulting us first.
Thanks, but no thanks George, I and most of my colleagues will take a rain check for the time being. I know no one will believe this, but where I work if you do your job well and work hard you get rewarded, if you don't you get fired. In my three years here, I haven't seen anyone get fired without due cause or for personal reasons. I feel protected by the work that I do.
Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 9:15 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
The most important Turn-Around Criteria that caught Dunbar, Robeson, *Harper, Hirsch, Marshall, Phillips, Roosevelt, Dyett, Wells, *Excel, *AASTA and *Mose Vines was that at these schools students missed an average of 35 days of school in the 2005-2007 school years. If they had simple use the PSAE scores, ACT scores or EPAS gains they had too many schools!!! CPS look at their data, saw the schools they wanted to catch and came up with the criterias. When they come to get you, they get you! Principals, Teachers and ESP's must unite. When they come for, they will come for all of you! Remember they said the principal at Harper could stay. Board Report 08-0227-EX19 reads, "Reconstitute William Rainey Harper High School And Remove And Replace The Harper Staff, Including The Principal, At The End Of The 2007-2008 School Year!!! Ha, Ha, Ha!
Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 9:40 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Dear Retired Principal:
I agree with you 100%.Would you please e mail coollaw3@yahoo.com or UnionismAndJustice@yahoogroups.com?
Thanks a lot
Chris
I agree with you 100%.Would you please e mail coollaw3@yahoo.com or UnionismAndJustice@yahoogroups.com?
Thanks a lot
Chris
Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 9:45 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Charlie:
Your comment will open eyes many of us,including top leaders
Union failed to provide service to their members.
Marilyn,woke up-otherwise the idea of Unionism will be a part of the history.
Your comment will open eyes many of us,including top leaders
Union failed to provide service to their members.
Marilyn,woke up-otherwise the idea of Unionism will be a part of the history.
Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 10:09 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Charlie - About not wanting to join a union, you actually make a good point despite the ridiculousness of it. People see the union today as a bloodsucker - thanks, but no thanks. And certainly the CTU is no help. But without the union - CPS teachers would not have what we have, decent health insurance, competitive salary, decent work hours, etc. Now, Charlie, you have a good work environment, and all power to you. Only the bad teachers will get fired, and you guys are happy teaching. Super - but when that ends, you'll regret what you've written. Of course, I hope it will not end, because all teachers should be treated with dignity, be adequately compensated for their hard work and not exploited. Unfortunately, that's not happening everywhere.
So here's to your non-union charter school and the teachers being content. It would be great if that were everywhere, but unfortunately it's not. Don't forget also that administrations change and the good principals don't stay forever. You never know who you'll get next - here's hoping (and praying) for the best since you want no part of a union.
So here's to your non-union charter school and the teachers being content. It would be great if that were everywhere, but unfortunately it's not. Don't forget also that administrations change and the good principals don't stay forever. You never know who you'll get next - here's hoping (and praying) for the best since you want no part of a union.
Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:06 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Jim:
We definitely need the union.At the same time we should make changes if OUR union is not honest or/and ineffective.
Develop a new activist spirit and continue protect our brothers and sisters eliminating the bad apples.
Do not be afraid to stand.
We definitely need the union.At the same time we should make changes if OUR union is not honest or/and ineffective.
Develop a new activist spirit and continue protect our brothers and sisters eliminating the bad apples.
Do not be afraid to stand.
Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:07 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
As much as I hate the UPC and the way it runs the CTU (and has run the CTU), there is no way we would have things like sick days, PB days, health care, no more tha 3 classes in a row, no more than 3 preps, no more than 5 teaching periods, etc..
For those "babies" out there, the CTU won the right (in 1968) to bargain for all CPS teachers because working conditions were so awful.
The fact that your charter schools basically mimic our contractual working conditions is because others fought hard to get those working conditions. My fight is against a bad employer who would take us back 70 years to coal hauling and living beside the school and firing us if we married.
Your employer is still the CPS. They are out to get the "job" done as cheaply as possible so they can spend the rest of the money on their friends.
As for the mess at the CTU, what did anyone expect. The UPC leaders have all been idiots since Jackie Vaughn died. Marilyn has so mucked this up, she should resign.
For those "babies" out there, the CTU won the right (in 1968) to bargain for all CPS teachers because working conditions were so awful.
The fact that your charter schools basically mimic our contractual working conditions is because others fought hard to get those working conditions. My fight is against a bad employer who would take us back 70 years to coal hauling and living beside the school and firing us if we married.
Your employer is still the CPS. They are out to get the "job" done as cheaply as possible so they can spend the rest of the money on their friends.
As for the mess at the CTU, what did anyone expect. The UPC leaders have all been idiots since Jackie Vaughn died. Marilyn has so mucked this up, she should resign.
Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:10 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
What an excellent post! I left a great school after last year because it was going year round and because I didn't have a lot of faith in the new principal. I'm now at a wonderful new school, but I feel for my friends left behind. One of them just got one-clicked. She has been the school's go to person for everything. She's union delegate and social committee chair. Everytime the old principal needed something done she gave it to my friend to do. Unfortunately, the new principal felt threatened by this and attempted to one-click remove her. Fortunately, she was appointed in 2003 and shouldn't have been eligible. She knows she has to go work someplace else, but she can do so without the stigma of having been fired from her old school. Tenure saves us from bad administrators.
Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 5:27 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Dear Charlie
I don’t mind all you charter school people standing on our shoulders but at least
Give us credit for where you are. And do not let the bullshit get down your wind pipe
Cause it’s pretty deep down here.
“Where I work if you do you job well and work hard you get rewarded”
Tell that t o the faculty at Orr.
“In my three years here. I haven’t seen anyone get fired without due cause or for personal reasons”
Tell that to the Faculty at Harper.
“I feel protected by the work I do”
If it weren’t for the fact the CPS needs you all during the ongoing
attempt to break the CTU we would see how much armor your work
gives you. We can survive without you, but you are just dust on a boot.
Wait until all the neighborhood public schools are gone then test the
Vest.
I don’t mind all you charter school people standing on our shoulders but at least
Give us credit for where you are. And do not let the bullshit get down your wind pipe
Cause it’s pretty deep down here.
“Where I work if you do you job well and work hard you get rewarded”
Tell that t o the faculty at Orr.
“In my three years here. I haven’t seen anyone get fired without due cause or for personal reasons”
Tell that to the Faculty at Harper.
“I feel protected by the work I do”
If it weren’t for the fact the CPS needs you all during the ongoing
attempt to break the CTU we would see how much armor your work
gives you. We can survive without you, but you are just dust on a boot.
Wait until all the neighborhood public schools are gone then test the
Vest.
Wed Mar 12, 2008 at 12:50 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Can we start working together on serious issues instead of falling for the smoke screen. There are many issues which we need to collectively address that will impact us all. That is what UNION is all about. A number of things pass right through our legislature and city council because we are caught up in the smoke screen. These are elected officials and they harm us much more than Marilyn would ever be able to because we are stuck behind the smoke screen. With or without the officers we can have a huge impact if each of us, however many (25,000 to 33, 000) put our pens where our mouths are. The states website is www.ilga..gov
1. House Bill 4375, the Chicago Teachers Residency Bill sponsored by State Rep. Marlow Colvin (D-Chicago), passed the House Executive Committee on March 5. The bill has been placed on the calendar for future consideration by the full House of Representatives. Please contact your state representative today and urge a “Yes” vote on HB 4375. Chicago teachers deserve to be treated like every other teacher in the state of Illinois
2. Tell your representatives to vote no to Unlicensed Diabetes Care Aids, meaning you the teacher, librarian, janitor will be forced to take care of Students with Diabetes. Do you want to be forced to give insulin? VOTE NO to HB146; SB846-amendment 1; SB2799 and HB 5969.
3. Contact your US legislators and State Legislators and tell them you want more money piped into Early Childhood Education. Bush is cutting Headstart money as I type.
There are many other issues we can play an important role in but they are distracting us.
The master plan is to break down what has a history of being a very strong Union. Let’s get busy and show that even in times of strife we can still stand together.
L. Sanders
1. House Bill 4375, the Chicago Teachers Residency Bill sponsored by State Rep. Marlow Colvin (D-Chicago), passed the House Executive Committee on March 5. The bill has been placed on the calendar for future consideration by the full House of Representatives. Please contact your state representative today and urge a “Yes” vote on HB 4375. Chicago teachers deserve to be treated like every other teacher in the state of Illinois
2. Tell your representatives to vote no to Unlicensed Diabetes Care Aids, meaning you the teacher, librarian, janitor will be forced to take care of Students with Diabetes. Do you want to be forced to give insulin? VOTE NO to HB146; SB846-amendment 1; SB2799 and HB 5969.
3. Contact your US legislators and State Legislators and tell them you want more money piped into Early Childhood Education. Bush is cutting Headstart money as I type.
There are many other issues we can play an important role in but they are distracting us.
The master plan is to break down what has a history of being a very strong Union. Let’s get busy and show that even in times of strife we can still stand together.
L. Sanders
Wed Mar 12, 2008 at 12:54 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Things that make you go Hmmm.
To the Charter Teachers: Right now you say my principal is good to me blah, blah, blah. That may be so but without a contract and union backing that same principal can come in tomorrow and dislike your blue suede shoes and fire you. Period
Please don’t think that the Vaughn years were all rosy and happy. There was strife etc, . but it was kept inside.
The Union is like a pyramid. The top is a small section (officers et al) and supported by the widest part or the base (membership). The top of the pyramid is dependent upon the strength, cohesiveness, solidarity of the base. And, that we don’t have. We could have voted no to many issues but we did not.
Ren 2010 and the Charter issue have been in the works for years and years. That is your Mayors work.
The teachers in charter schools are not “content”, they are scared. There is a huge movement against Unions and those factions have attacked Charter School staff nationwide. For some it is easier to ride the wave than make waves.
George, I am confused about your experience with the AFT Great Lakes Organizers” I have attended meetings regarding this issue and the group was not the Great Lakes Organizers-it was The CTU Charter Outreach Committee; affiliate of AFT? Jessica is present at our house meetings Are there two groups?
Why does one have to curse/swear on a blog of professionals discussing professional issues?
To the Charter Teachers: Right now you say my principal is good to me blah, blah, blah. That may be so but without a contract and union backing that same principal can come in tomorrow and dislike your blue suede shoes and fire you. Period
Please don’t think that the Vaughn years were all rosy and happy. There was strife etc, . but it was kept inside.
The Union is like a pyramid. The top is a small section (officers et al) and supported by the widest part or the base (membership). The top of the pyramid is dependent upon the strength, cohesiveness, solidarity of the base. And, that we don’t have. We could have voted no to many issues but we did not.
Ren 2010 and the Charter issue have been in the works for years and years. That is your Mayors work.
The teachers in charter schools are not “content”, they are scared. There is a huge movement against Unions and those factions have attacked Charter School staff nationwide. For some it is easier to ride the wave than make waves.
George, I am confused about your experience with the AFT Great Lakes Organizers” I have attended meetings regarding this issue and the group was not the Great Lakes Organizers-it was The CTU Charter Outreach Committee; affiliate of AFT? Jessica is present at our house meetings Are there two groups?
Why does one have to curse/swear on a blog of professionals discussing professional issues?
Wed Mar 12, 2008 at 4:28 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Just got a chance to read "to be real". Wow, know your on the inside. Since your on the inside, "no pun intended" you must know about how Larry Poltrock, talks to members. How about Gail Koffman? Bottom line is that she treats people like horseshit, but has gotten away with it for years. Could it be a cultural or a gender thing? Back to Dallas. Why are you constantly ignoring the fact that he organized everthing including your position over the years. Answer in "High Level Strife", but for now, to call Dallas a traitor, is like calling Stewart a political genius. If all you have on Dallas is that he demanded the most out his employees and uses bad language, you need to rent more union movie classics.
Wed Mar 12, 2008 at 6:44 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
By: Been around the CTU for 7 years What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg. Just got a chance to read "to be real". Wow, know your on the inside.........
Sorry you are very wrong. I have been around CTU for 35 years. I am not inside and no, he had nothing to do with organizing my position because I have no position with CTU. I pay dues, and recoginize that we must work with what we have.
........Since your on the inside, "no pun intended" you must know about how Larry Poltrock, talks to members. How about Gail Koffman? Bottom line is that she treats people like horseshit......
But I do believe that professionals should have professional discussions without swearing/cussing and demeaning each other.
........ but has gotten away with it for years. Could it be a cultural or a gender thing? Back to Dallas. Why are you constantly ignoring the fact that he organized everthing including your position over the years. Answer in "High Level Strife", but for now, to call Dallas a traitor, is like calling Stewart a political genius........
My statement was:
MS may not be the most politically astute person and is not perfect but at lease she is civil.
Traitor as defined by dictionary.com
noun
1. someone who betrays his country by committing treason I
2. a person who says one thing and does another [syn: double-crosser]
a person who changes to the enemy's side or gives away information to the enemy
.......If all you have on Dallas is that he demanded the most out his employees and uses bad language, you need to rent more union movie classic......
And I suppose for you it was ok to beat the slaves; well, CTU is not a plantation and employees should be treated with respect. You would not stand for you supervisor mistreating you, would you?
Sorry you are very wrong. I have been around CTU for 35 years. I am not inside and no, he had nothing to do with organizing my position because I have no position with CTU. I pay dues, and recoginize that we must work with what we have.
........Since your on the inside, "no pun intended" you must know about how Larry Poltrock, talks to members. How about Gail Koffman? Bottom line is that she treats people like horseshit......
But I do believe that professionals should have professional discussions without swearing/cussing and demeaning each other.
........ but has gotten away with it for years. Could it be a cultural or a gender thing? Back to Dallas. Why are you constantly ignoring the fact that he organized everthing including your position over the years. Answer in "High Level Strife", but for now, to call Dallas a traitor, is like calling Stewart a political genius........
My statement was:
MS may not be the most politically astute person and is not perfect but at lease she is civil.
Traitor as defined by dictionary.com
noun
1. someone who betrays his country by committing treason I
2. a person who says one thing and does another [syn: double-crosser]
a person who changes to the enemy's side or gives away information to the enemy
.......If all you have on Dallas is that he demanded the most out his employees and uses bad language, you need to rent more union movie classic......
And I suppose for you it was ok to beat the slaves; well, CTU is not a plantation and employees should be treated with respect. You would not stand for you supervisor mistreating you, would you?
Wed Mar 12, 2008 at 9:24 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
"Beat the slaves"? -- What BS!
"MS may not be the most polically astute"? -- Understatement of the year.
"at least she is civil"? You know nothing!
"MS may not be the most polically astute"? -- Understatement of the year.
"at least she is civil"? You know nothing!
Wed Mar 12, 2008 at 9:30 PM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
Just wait a few days.
There is some stuff that is going to hit the fan!
Oh by the way where has John O. been the last two weeks.
Rose too has been missing from the office recently.
There is some stuff that is going to hit the fan!
Oh by the way where has John O. been the last two weeks.
Rose too has been missing from the office recently.
Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 9:43 AM
What Happened At The CTU House Of Delegates Mtg.
I really have a problem reading these blog messages: try to write concisely with correct spelling, grammar, and syntax. The content is often obscured by poor writing. Meanwhile, what would happen if all of us signed a petition to oust Marilyn and her cronies? We might stage a revolution by just that act alone and, at the very least, express our discontent.