CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer Another great letter from Marilyn Stewart -- almost as good as the one she wrote to Arne about Ted Dallas a few months ago. This one is addressed to her Treasurer, Linda Porter, about Porter's disrespectful tone and attitude at a recent CTU event.
Thanks to a reader for scanning and sending it in, with the following description: "This letter is regarding the incident where MS crashed the PAVE workshop after cutting all funding for it and trying to sabotage it a month earlier. Linda Porter told MS to get lost. From what I read it looks like our Treasurer is not an elected officer but an employee under MS."
As with Dallas, Stewart is hampered by the fact that Porter is an elected official not an employee. I'm not sure Stewart can do much beyond sending letters and making life miserable for Porter. And I don't know what can be done to make things right within the CTU.
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Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 9:45 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Wow; that was in solidarity?
I shudder to contemplate Marilyn's idea of divisiveness...
I shudder to contemplate Marilyn's idea of divisiveness...
Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 10:09 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
How many times did MS use the word me! Either this women is in complete denial or she really thinks the membership cares about her. Keep up the good work MS. You are making yourself look worse with every move you make.
Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 10:23 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Just when you thought it was safe to get back on the blog...
What exactly did Porter tell Stewart at the workshop? Anything that will make Youtube?
I attended the Quest Center's School improvement seminar. They were all laying it on real thick when introducing the President. Maybe they're all afraid they will be on the chopping block considering the union is 6 mil in the hole.
ME ME ME.... Get over yourself lady.
What exactly did Porter tell Stewart at the workshop? Anything that will make Youtube?
I attended the Quest Center's School improvement seminar. They were all laying it on real thick when introducing the President. Maybe they're all afraid they will be on the chopping block considering the union is 6 mil in the hole.
ME ME ME.... Get over yourself lady.
Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 11:05 PM
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she loves using that doesn't she.
Isn't there something in the bylaws of the union the prevents one union member from reprimanding another or being "the boss"?
I thought the union is against the boss?
The union is just that a collection of workers all on equal footing.
Time to kick her ass out!
She is completely out of control. and completely stupid.
To even write that down makes her foolish and quite possibly ready to be removed from office.
Isn't there something in the bylaws of the union the prevents one union member from reprimanding another or being "the boss"?
I thought the union is against the boss?
The union is just that a collection of workers all on equal footing.
Time to kick her ass out!
She is completely out of control. and completely stupid.
To even write that down makes her foolish and quite possibly ready to be removed from office.
Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 11:07 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
The part of the letter that really bother's me is, "that you would do so in such a manner that brings embarrassment to the union". Is Stewart for real!! After all that hype about protecting the PAT's, rumor out of the Mart is that 650 PAT's got let go with the new contract/rules in place. It's going to be 2650 PAT's a year by 2012. Stewart's sell out to the Board is the most embarrassing thing ever, even worse than Lynch!!
Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 11:38 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
All thru' the day I me mine, I me mine, I me mine.
All thru' the night I me mine, I me mine, I me mine........
All thru' the night I me mine, I me mine, I me mine........
Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 11:50 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Wow.
No wonder there is a complete lack of transparency among CTU leadership. Every time we learn something about what they actually do downtown it reflects poorly on them.
I have no idea what happened at the PAVE meeting, but President Stewart's letter is an embarrassment regardless. It reflects juvenile tendencies, control issues, and egotism beyond the pale.
Any reasonable and effective reprimand should be strictly factual, cite detailed and specific evidence, and convey dispassionate (but serious) and professional (not personal) disapproval.
President Stewart desperately needs a Basic Leadership 101 course. She's simply brutal every time she opens her mouth or puts pen to paper.
No wonder there is a complete lack of transparency among CTU leadership. Every time we learn something about what they actually do downtown it reflects poorly on them.
I have no idea what happened at the PAVE meeting, but President Stewart's letter is an embarrassment regardless. It reflects juvenile tendencies, control issues, and egotism beyond the pale.
Any reasonable and effective reprimand should be strictly factual, cite detailed and specific evidence, and convey dispassionate (but serious) and professional (not personal) disapproval.
President Stewart desperately needs a Basic Leadership 101 course. She's simply brutal every time she opens her mouth or puts pen to paper.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 12:07 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Check it out Rodentface, As I stated on April 22 at 11:30 p.m. on the "What Happened at the House of Delegates" blog page, Stewart will be learning until the day she is removed. She is trusting and listening to people that we voted out in 2001. Re-read my blog on the other page. She is not a politician, but her Chief of Staff/Executive Editor is a politician who has been making constant mistakes. Her consultant also made mistakes with the new contract. Her attorney wanted to get better language on charter schools, but he wasn't in on the sellout. Her lobbyist was in on the sellout. Guess what, all these people are from the Reece administration.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 6:35 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
It looks like our President lost control over her own emotions,therefore she can not perform her duties.Ask her to take a leave of absence due to the mental illness.
Do it NOW.
Do it NOW.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 6:52 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
I am embarassed,too.Sorry for jumping on you ,guys.I am not associated with Marilyn anymore.I want to be a President with the $300 000 a year.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 7:00 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Marilyn you are hurting our population.The 32 000+ are in danger of loosing their jobs and be unable to feed their families .Pensioners will loose their pension money.
PLEASE QUIT HONORABLY BEFORE PEOPLE WILL REMOVE YOU FROM THE MART.
PLEASE QUIT HONORABLY BEFORE PEOPLE WILL REMOVE YOU FROM THE MART.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 7:18 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Loyalty
Is MS the real problem or, God Forbid, is she just the result of how
Much we as a union have slipped?
Is MS the real problem or, God Forbid, is she just the result of how
Much we as a union have slipped?
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 8:02 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Stewart is taking advices only from non African Americans.
Her actions hurts black kids..black schools are closed.
We do not have any respect from her .AKA is not for us.
They try to eliminate us from the scene.
Her actions hurts black kids..black schools are closed.
We do not have any respect from her .AKA is not for us.
They try to eliminate us from the scene.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 8:50 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Linda Porter is an elected official, elected by the union membership. I'm not so sure why many are surprised by Marilyn Stewart's behavior. Marilyn has always been known to have such a "Queen Bee" complex. Ms. Stewart never got along with many of the people she worked at Kinzie, so it shouldn't be a surprise to those at CTU headquarters that she feels superior to many around her, and especially towards the membership of the CTU.
For all who voted for Ms. Stewart and CO., "Shame on you if you fool me once. Shame on me if you fool me twice." Shame on the CTU membership. You have been fooled twice and to the great cost to the unity of the CTU and it's members. I'm guessing Arne is loving all of this.
For all who voted for Ms. Stewart and CO., "Shame on you if you fool me once. Shame on me if you fool me twice." Shame on the CTU membership. You have been fooled twice and to the great cost to the unity of the CTU and it's members. I'm guessing Arne is loving all of this.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 10:32 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
First of all, MS did not appoint LP as liaison to the PAVE Committee. MS didn't even know what the PAVE Committee was until it was explained to her by her chief sponser and former political mentor TD. As cocky as the letter is, it was only approved by MS. It was written by her newest political mentor and advisor, John Ostenberg. He is much cockier than MS. MS's new inner circle orchestrated the removal of TD at the request of the higher ups at the board. The board knew it would be a lot easier to screw members over without the explosive Dallas around to deal with. Opportunist Ostenberg jumped on the rare chance to be the boss of the CTU.
The TD removal was much deeper than everyone thinks it was. It was specifically related to the day to day protection of teachers who's cases could have gone either way. The board backs up principals whether they are right or wrong. If they were wrong TD would let them know it and let them have it. No one in the current CTU leadership could do what TD used to do. They try to reason with the board. Unfortunatley for the members, the board people are smarter and have much more power than the current CTU leaders.
The CTU needs aggressive and knowledgable people with a vested interest in the future of the union.
The TD removal was much deeper than everyone thinks it was. It was specifically related to the day to day protection of teachers who's cases could have gone either way. The board backs up principals whether they are right or wrong. If they were wrong TD would let them know it and let them have it. No one in the current CTU leadership could do what TD used to do. They try to reason with the board. Unfortunatley for the members, the board people are smarter and have much more power than the current CTU leaders.
The CTU needs aggressive and knowledgable people with a vested interest in the future of the union.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 11:20 AM
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There is no mention of the rights of the rank and file when MS and her group send out letters and memos.
In all the dealings I have had with CTU they are always looking for the easy way to deal with a situation and try to avoid conflict with the BoE. That is alright when we are talking common issues of security or school funding. When the issue is related to the contract it is no deals!
That is what is supposed to happen.
No wavering.
Again look at all the posts and memos for the MS crowd they rarely mention the rank and file. It is all about self-preservation.
Do you know why?
Her inner circle is non-union!
John O., Rose G., Mother and Daughter team, Scab, and all those others just staying in the system to get a better pension or who wanted to get out of the classroom because they hate kids
I keep repeating that but that is very significant.
There are no people from a school giving MS any advice. She has alienated herself from people like Chris from Orr who she could have used as a hero and poster child for school closures instead she has made him an enemy of her administration. In doing so many other teachers like me who is a UPC member helped her get elected, but we voted the contract down @ HPA, are also against her and the group that has taken over the mart offices with scare tactics and bullish behavior.
Just think everybody we have not even began debating the contract and what we lost or gained yet.
How is MS going to defend a 5-year contract when she explicitly said no more 4 year contracts they are too long?
How is MS going to defend all those PAT’s loosing their jobs in June?
I know at least 12 teachers not reassigned. That is only one person me and I do not know that many people.
How is she going to defend borrowing 1 million dollars already this year to cover operating expenses without bringing that to the House of Delegates?
When I talk about Marilyn Stewart it is never personal. And as a rank and file union member it is my right to be able to question my leadership. That is democracy. Oh by the way it is illegal, under federal law, for that membership to in anyway question that dissention especially punish those that do not agree with union leadership.
YES against the law. If anyone from the union, during union business time, questions why you are holding one position or another it is against the law
That said I have nothing against Marilyn Stewart never did never will. Just I see here as a leader who lied to me as a member of her own caucus and is letting outside influences run our union. All those CTU office staff need to see that they are helping to destroy the union.
We rank and file members need to get together and stop the sell out!
In all the dealings I have had with CTU they are always looking for the easy way to deal with a situation and try to avoid conflict with the BoE. That is alright when we are talking common issues of security or school funding. When the issue is related to the contract it is no deals!
That is what is supposed to happen.
No wavering.
Again look at all the posts and memos for the MS crowd they rarely mention the rank and file. It is all about self-preservation.
Do you know why?
Her inner circle is non-union!
John O., Rose G., Mother and Daughter team, Scab, and all those others just staying in the system to get a better pension or who wanted to get out of the classroom because they hate kids
I keep repeating that but that is very significant.
There are no people from a school giving MS any advice. She has alienated herself from people like Chris from Orr who she could have used as a hero and poster child for school closures instead she has made him an enemy of her administration. In doing so many other teachers like me who is a UPC member helped her get elected, but we voted the contract down @ HPA, are also against her and the group that has taken over the mart offices with scare tactics and bullish behavior.
Just think everybody we have not even began debating the contract and what we lost or gained yet.
How is MS going to defend a 5-year contract when she explicitly said no more 4 year contracts they are too long?
How is MS going to defend all those PAT’s loosing their jobs in June?
I know at least 12 teachers not reassigned. That is only one person me and I do not know that many people.
How is she going to defend borrowing 1 million dollars already this year to cover operating expenses without bringing that to the House of Delegates?
When I talk about Marilyn Stewart it is never personal. And as a rank and file union member it is my right to be able to question my leadership. That is democracy. Oh by the way it is illegal, under federal law, for that membership to in anyway question that dissention especially punish those that do not agree with union leadership.
YES against the law. If anyone from the union, during union business time, questions why you are holding one position or another it is against the law
That said I have nothing against Marilyn Stewart never did never will. Just I see here as a leader who lied to me as a member of her own caucus and is letting outside influences run our union. All those CTU office staff need to see that they are helping to destroy the union.
We rank and file members need to get together and stop the sell out!
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 1:30 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
I am back from the Grievance Administration session at IFT.
After talking to people from around the State I am scared how much political education our members need.
I agree with you.I was one of delegates who encouraged membership to vote for UPC.Why?Because of the jobs lost as a result of the PAT part of the Debbie contract.Mea culpa.
At this time we have to act quickly in order to avoid the selfdestruction.We have to be together and focus on the future not the past.Thank you for your comment.Have a nice day.
After talking to people from around the State I am scared how much political education our members need.
I agree with you.I was one of delegates who encouraged membership to vote for UPC.Why?Because of the jobs lost as a result of the PAT part of the Debbie contract.Mea culpa.
At this time we have to act quickly in order to avoid the selfdestruction.We have to be together and focus on the future not the past.Thank you for your comment.Have a nice day.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 4:14 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
EVERYONE who works at CTU pays the same membership dues that the
teachers and paras do.
teachers and paras do.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 4:24 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Gee, I wonder who you got this letter from? It seems that ever since last July when Kugler received a large check from Ms. Porter, he has been the private cheerleader for her and Dallas. Doesn't he know that they are just using him and giving him false promises of big jobs.
The President of the CTU did not "crash" the conference, she is invited to all events. Boy, wait to you all find out how many thousands of dollars Porter and Dallas have spent on themselves of your union dues.
You are all going to flip out. Ask Ted how many sick days he has at the Union.
The President of the CTU did not "crash" the conference, she is invited to all events. Boy, wait to you all find out how many thousands of dollars Porter and Dallas have spent on themselves of your union dues.
You are all going to flip out. Ask Ted how many sick days he has at the Union.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 4:48 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Where is that check?
My four kids could use that money for books and school supplies. Do not forget the chopsticks for my wife.
You mean the money for the ACTE conference where I spent over $1200 and was reimbursed about $650?
In fact she did crash the conference and took all the money out of the standing committee budget. We are at zero now. You know how that happened?
MS when into last years conference budget and retro charged the committee for expenses. Do not forget the printing expenses due to taking Yolanda and Vera off the committee.
Last year we did the printing and design in house at CTU:
Cost was $0
This year because MS took over our budget and personnel expenses it cost $750 to do the printing.
YES $0 to $750 that is MS way of doing business.
Remember when you start blogging all the truth will come out. What you say about checks is all union records I do not mind if you publish them. Just make sure my ss# is blacked out.
YES that is the truth.
So it was a committee sponsored event not CTU and MS took our money away. This year we have top spend money out of our Illinois fund to go and represent the union at the IL CTE and ACTE conference in North Carolina
Be careful accusing me of getting money that is where you will loose on all fronts.
Racism did not work the other day now you are trying money irregularities.
While we are on the subject of money, why do not you tell the fine members of the audience here about the trip to Israel MS took and how it related to CTU business.
Oh and make sure you tell them about MS plan to bring that DOT charter into Chgo. YES the plan of the union president is to bring the DOT charter here into Chicago>
Come On now do not be shy.
I’M not.
How many years has TD been in the system? That is a lot of sick days then. While we are at it why not tell the audience how old Td is. That way we have reference point as to who has more experience in the union and teaching.
Oh anyways the letter speaks for itself.
Or are you going to blame that on me too.
Yes that is it.
Kugler is writing all those nasty internal union letters and signing them with Stewart’s signature.
Yeah that’s the ticket!
My four kids could use that money for books and school supplies. Do not forget the chopsticks for my wife.
You mean the money for the ACTE conference where I spent over $1200 and was reimbursed about $650?
In fact she did crash the conference and took all the money out of the standing committee budget. We are at zero now. You know how that happened?
MS when into last years conference budget and retro charged the committee for expenses. Do not forget the printing expenses due to taking Yolanda and Vera off the committee.
Last year we did the printing and design in house at CTU:
Cost was $0
This year because MS took over our budget and personnel expenses it cost $750 to do the printing.
YES $0 to $750 that is MS way of doing business.
Remember when you start blogging all the truth will come out. What you say about checks is all union records I do not mind if you publish them. Just make sure my ss# is blacked out.
YES that is the truth.
So it was a committee sponsored event not CTU and MS took our money away. This year we have top spend money out of our Illinois fund to go and represent the union at the IL CTE and ACTE conference in North Carolina
Be careful accusing me of getting money that is where you will loose on all fronts.
Racism did not work the other day now you are trying money irregularities.
While we are on the subject of money, why do not you tell the fine members of the audience here about the trip to Israel MS took and how it related to CTU business.
Oh and make sure you tell them about MS plan to bring that DOT charter into Chgo. YES the plan of the union president is to bring the DOT charter here into Chicago>
Come On now do not be shy.
I’M not.
How many years has TD been in the system? That is a lot of sick days then. While we are at it why not tell the audience how old Td is. That way we have reference point as to who has more experience in the union and teaching.
Oh anyways the letter speaks for itself.
Or are you going to blame that on me too.
Yes that is it.
Kugler is writing all those nasty internal union letters and signing them with Stewart’s signature.
Yeah that’s the ticket!
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 4:56 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
holy cow!,
Why would it matter who Mr. Russo received the letter from? That doesn't change the fact that President Stewart is an ineffectual president, lacks intelligence and perspective, and has no evident leadership skills.
Re: Mr. Dallas' sick days and the money he and Ms. Porter may or may not have "spent on themselves" - please, by all means, elaborate with actual evidence. While your allegations would be disgusting and inexcusable if true, it doesn't change the fact that President Stewart is an ineffectual president, lacks intelligence and perspective, and has no evident leadership skills.
The entire leadership team at the Mart needs to go. CTU's next leaders need to be intelligent and skilled with real vision, excellent communication skills and a penchant for complete transparency and accountability. I know...I know...wishful thinking.
None of the back and forth about the current leadership team among those who have chosen sides changes the fact that the entire CTU office is an embarrassment.
Why would it matter who Mr. Russo received the letter from? That doesn't change the fact that President Stewart is an ineffectual president, lacks intelligence and perspective, and has no evident leadership skills.
Re: Mr. Dallas' sick days and the money he and Ms. Porter may or may not have "spent on themselves" - please, by all means, elaborate with actual evidence. While your allegations would be disgusting and inexcusable if true, it doesn't change the fact that President Stewart is an ineffectual president, lacks intelligence and perspective, and has no evident leadership skills.
The entire leadership team at the Mart needs to go. CTU's next leaders need to be intelligent and skilled with real vision, excellent communication skills and a penchant for complete transparency and accountability. I know...I know...wishful thinking.
None of the back and forth about the current leadership team among those who have chosen sides changes the fact that the entire CTU office is an embarrassment.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 5:16 PM
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We can list what and how things are spent. Trust me yourself holy cow might to become a victim of the house cleaning when it comes to money.
All of you downtown have yor hand in the till.
The letter clearly shows MS has lost controll of the union and from my sources she did not even draft that letter. I might be wrong. But just imagine if it is true, that a career educator having to rely on a non-union official to draft her letters.
Holy Cow wht do not you talk about that racial memo ut in Linda's mail box. See I do not put everything out the because it is not appropriate but since you want to play dirty the gloves are off.
Holy cow you know what letter I am mentioning do not you?
i would be pretty nasty if I cut and past ion the blog would't it?
Why do not we do this. You retract you false accusation of my finacial "gains" from the union as a mistake in typing and I will keep the note private . Otherwise I will show what really you all are up to during union hours getting paid by our union dues.
I will give you until 600pm tonight to rtract your statement. Otherwise I will post the letter and send the original to Alexander and Substance for archival proof.
Now think hard and remeber that letter fropm the other day.
Yes now you remeber it was the one the mention me and a few others by name.
Oh that's what I forgot, not only racial intimindation, but political intimidation on the job on union property duyring work hours. You do know that the letter was time stamped by that fill in secretary? Oh forgot that did you?
Hmmmmm where are you!
I am serious about that six oclock dead line.
In fact here is my cps email.
Holy Cow you need o retract it to my cps email so I have a record of it there.
Send Email
Trust me I do not want to put the letter out it is nasty and mybe even illegal but you opened up the fight to a wider arena when you start accussing me of taking money for influence.
I am sure MS and JO will not be too happy if that letter gets out.
All of you downtown have yor hand in the till.
The letter clearly shows MS has lost controll of the union and from my sources she did not even draft that letter. I might be wrong. But just imagine if it is true, that a career educator having to rely on a non-union official to draft her letters.
Holy Cow wht do not you talk about that racial memo ut in Linda's mail box. See I do not put everything out the because it is not appropriate but since you want to play dirty the gloves are off.
Holy cow you know what letter I am mentioning do not you?
i would be pretty nasty if I cut and past ion the blog would't it?
Why do not we do this. You retract you false accusation of my finacial "gains" from the union as a mistake in typing and I will keep the note private . Otherwise I will show what really you all are up to during union hours getting paid by our union dues.
I will give you until 600pm tonight to rtract your statement. Otherwise I will post the letter and send the original to Alexander and Substance for archival proof.
Now think hard and remeber that letter fropm the other day.
Yes now you remeber it was the one the mention me and a few others by name.
Oh that's what I forgot, not only racial intimindation, but political intimidation on the job on union property duyring work hours. You do know that the letter was time stamped by that fill in secretary? Oh forgot that did you?
Hmmmmm where are you!
I am serious about that six oclock dead line.
In fact here is my cps email.
Holy Cow you need o retract it to my cps email so I have a record of it there.
Send Email
Trust me I do not want to put the letter out it is nasty and mybe even illegal but you opened up the fight to a wider arena when you start accussing me of taking money for influence.
I am sure MS and JO will not be too happy if that letter gets out.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 5:37 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
These reports of the CTU remind me of our state government in Springfield: Colleagues don't like each other, don't trust each other, don't respect each other, and amidst all the bickering virtually nothing gets accomplished.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 5:49 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
The funny thing about all this is aI am a PAT1 in a probationary school with two students murdered in the last year.
How I became the villain and the center of all CTU attention is interesting especially when I teach six classess a day and run after school programs year around.
i must be quite a threat.
I really appreciate all those mart staffers trying to blog cause then there is more reason to expose what they do.
ATTACK the rank and file that pay dues for thier salaries!
Thank you for attacking me!
Remember six o'clock is the time limit.-
Then I will show everyone what nasty people youare downtown.
Send me an email with your retraction, full name and postion @CTU or wherever you work.
Only then will I not publish that intimidating note sent to Linda Porter.
How I became the villain and the center of all CTU attention is interesting especially when I teach six classess a day and run after school programs year around.
i must be quite a threat.
I really appreciate all those mart staffers trying to blog cause then there is more reason to expose what they do.
ATTACK the rank and file that pay dues for thier salaries!
Thank you for attacking me!
Remember six o'clock is the time limit.-
Then I will show everyone what nasty people youare downtown.
Send me an email with your retraction, full name and postion @CTU or wherever you work.
Only then will I not publish that intimidating note sent to Linda Porter.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 6:25 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Where is the letter Kugler?
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 6:28 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
You are kidding."Nothing gets accomplished".How about the "Unlimited charters "bill?
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 6:31 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
It coming I am firing up my main computer. I have been blogging with my laptop because I am building wood models with my kids.
Hot glue burns!
I am gong to check my cps email account right now then orc the ltter and you will all have it if there is no retraction.
Sorry just blogging around family time.
I wouldn't be doing this but that letter got on today and had to stick around for the staffers to get in the action.
see you in a few.
jk
Hot glue burns!
I am gong to check my cps email account right now then orc the ltter and you will all have it if there is no retraction.
Sorry just blogging around family time.
I wouldn't be doing this but that letter got on today and had to stick around for the staffers to get in the action.
see you in a few.
jk
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 6:48 PM
........................................................................................
This letter was put in Linda Porter's mail box @ the mart during work hours. It has a time stamp from the secretary at the desk that did not know about the in house fighting and she just stamped everything like a good honest employee should. I have another one in PM? hand-writing threatening TD with the IRS.
Linda....
DON'T BE SO FOOLISH!!!
Question: What do Ted D., Ted H., Chris R., George Schmidt, John Kugler, Louis Pyster, Jay Rehak, Tony Ab., and the token women, Pope & Eshoo & Diana & Lynch all have in common?
Answer: THEY DON'T LOOK LIKE YOU!!!
And you're risking your pension for them???
Are you that dumb??? You're window dressing!!! And they'll leave you behind the first chance they get!!! Face reality: they won't ever let you be president. Hell, they won't even let you be vice president! Don't you realize that behind your back they're saying it was your fault that we're in the financial mess we're in??? And then you lied in front of the entire house about the percaps???
Too bad! So sad! They're glad! You should be mad!
A Friend
I have another one in hand-writing threatening TD with the IRS. That I will save when they accuse me of something else.
These people are nasty and evil. just look at the letter againg from MS to Porter an elected official being treated like an employee.
Blogosphere I love YOU!
Hey CTU staff anytime you want to do some more jousting I am waiting! Always remember those who work hard always have an advantage to lazy crooks because our brains and =muscles always are working to overcome adversity. I do not even mind loosing because that is when I will l learn how to be better.
BRING IT ON!
Linda....
DON'T BE SO FOOLISH!!!
Question: What do Ted D., Ted H., Chris R., George Schmidt, John Kugler, Louis Pyster, Jay Rehak, Tony Ab., and the token women, Pope & Eshoo & Diana & Lynch all have in common?
Answer: THEY DON'T LOOK LIKE YOU!!!
And you're risking your pension for them???
Are you that dumb??? You're window dressing!!! And they'll leave you behind the first chance they get!!! Face reality: they won't ever let you be president. Hell, they won't even let you be vice president! Don't you realize that behind your back they're saying it was your fault that we're in the financial mess we're in??? And then you lied in front of the entire house about the percaps???
Too bad! So sad! They're glad! You should be mad!
A Friend
I have another one in hand-writing threatening TD with the IRS. That I will save when they accuse me of something else.
These people are nasty and evil. just look at the letter againg from MS to Porter an elected official being treated like an employee.
Blogosphere I love YOU!
Hey CTU staff anytime you want to do some more jousting I am waiting! Always remember those who work hard always have an advantage to lazy crooks because our brains and =muscles always are working to overcome adversity. I do not even mind loosing because that is when I will l learn how to be better.
BRING IT ON!
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 6:58 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
just to set the record straight.
I HAVE NOTHING TO LOOSE OR GAIN!
except experience and the chance to help my brothers and sisters down here in the rank and file. We are the ones suffering on a daily basis without job protection or representation.
What are they going to do to us?
Fire us!
that is what they are doing everyday already.
It would be nice to get ride of a few of those 200k club st=ff and give some of dues back to us or put it in an emergency fund for those who loose their jobs.
wishful thinking.
I am still a Dreamer!
Everyone have a good week!
Stay safe!
I HAVE NOTHING TO LOOSE OR GAIN!
except experience and the chance to help my brothers and sisters down here in the rank and file. We are the ones suffering on a daily basis without job protection or representation.
What are they going to do to us?
Fire us!
that is what they are doing everyday already.
It would be nice to get ride of a few of those 200k club st=ff and give some of dues back to us or put it in an emergency fund for those who loose their jobs.
wishful thinking.
I am still a Dreamer!
Everyone have a good week!
Stay safe!
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 7:55 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Kugler, I was referring to Mr. Dallas' Union sick day balance not his CPS sick day balance.
You attack the above letter writer for delivering the letter during the work day, while there are numerous posts from you on this blog during your work day. "Those who cast stones shouldn't..."
You attack the above letter writer for delivering the letter during the work day, while there are numerous posts from you on this blog during your work day. "Those who cast stones shouldn't..."
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 9:18 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Hey – how did I get in this mix?
What an odd group of people to lump together as some sort of conspiratorial faction. I doubt that group could agree on the time of day much less a sedition agenda.
What an odd group of people to lump together as some sort of conspiratorial faction. I doubt that group could agree on the time of day much less a sedition agenda.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 9:27 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Kugler, you should be thanking President Stewart for getting a change in the number of years for a PAT to get tenure--it is now 3 years instead of 4.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 9:42 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
To Read the Contract: The three year tenure is arguably the only gain in the contract. When you consider all the reasons why teachers are not moving on the tenure track, and how easy it is to start over, the gain is not as significant as it may seem.
To Holy cow: As I have stated on the previous blog page, if TD took his sick days, it was a smart move on his part. Stewart's people would have used them as colateral to get TD to keep his mouth shut. Imagine if the Board told you they were taking sick days away from you. What do you think you would do?
To Eshoo: People have told me you love this kind of excitement. Looking forward to meeting you in the near future. Like May 1st?
To Holy cow: As I have stated on the previous blog page, if TD took his sick days, it was a smart move on his part. Stewart's people would have used them as colateral to get TD to keep his mouth shut. Imagine if the Board told you they were taking sick days away from you. What do you think you would do?
To Eshoo: People have told me you love this kind of excitement. Looking forward to meeting you in the near future. Like May 1st?
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 9:45 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Whether they took his sick days or not, Ted Dallas would have never kept his mouth shut. He really cares about the membership. The money is secondary to the people he represents.
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 9:51 PM
........................................................................................
Labor Day where is the meeting?
Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 10:13 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Without an intention to provide legal advice:
1.Marilyn Stewart by signing checks drawn from the Union funds
makes such checks voided by absorbing the Treasurer's responsibilities as described Constitution and by laws Article VI(e).
2.Marilyn Stewart as a President of the Union has no authority to reprimand elected officer.By doing so she creates the"hostile working environment" and could be a subject to judicial review.
3.Any inapropriate comments or action regarding race,gender,etc could be considered as a "hate crime"prosecuted by the United States and State of Il.
Do not make legislators,Board of Ed and others laugh how stupid we are as a Union tolerating such kind of behavior
1.Marilyn Stewart by signing checks drawn from the Union funds
makes such checks voided by absorbing the Treasurer's responsibilities as described Constitution and by laws Article VI(e).
2.Marilyn Stewart as a President of the Union has no authority to reprimand elected officer.By doing so she creates the"hostile working environment" and could be a subject to judicial review.
3.Any inapropriate comments or action regarding race,gender,etc could be considered as a "hate crime"prosecuted by the United States and State of Il.
Do not make legislators,Board of Ed and others laugh how stupid we are as a Union tolerating such kind of behavior
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 1:33 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
For the past two months (at the latest, by the time of the February 27 Board of Education meeting) this CTU soap opera has been carried out in the context of Arne Duncan eliminating all of most of the staffs of the 18 (out of 19) schools the Board voted to reconstitute (through "turnaround"), reorganize, relocate, or eliminate that day.
Marilyn Stewart last spoke out publicly about this tragedy (facing more than 1,000 union members -- total -- from CTU and five other unions) on February 25. I was there at the CTU press conference on February 25 when Stewart basically asked the Board for 90 days to help the Board fire teachers more efficiently. Stewart that day had Dal Lawrence (from Toledo Ohio) brag that he had gotten rid of more "bad teachers" than any administrator in his state. Lawrence, remember, was President of the Toledo Federation of Teachers -- a union! and part of the AFT -- not an administrator.
Stewart didn't even attend the February 27 Board meeting or join the massive protests outside and inside. Instead, a month later she wrote her column in the Chicago Union Teacher blaming the teachers (hundreds of whom protested between January and February) for not following her leadership to PUSH on February 23 (for the second time this school year; for what).
This latest melodrama is taking place while the teachers (and other union staff) at Orr, Harper, Copernicus, Fulton, Howe and Morton face eight more weeks of work, then termination. Remember: only the fully tenured teachers at those schools will get any time to try and find other work. Everyone else is screwed -- thanks to the sweetheart deal contract that Marilyn Stewart negotiated with the Daley people last August.
Instead of simply meditating on the soap opera at the Merchandise Mart offices of the Chicago Teachers Union, those who care about the union -- and unions -- ought to be making some effort to counter every lie Arne Duncan has spewed out. Instead, those lies are unopposed by Marilyn Stewart and her terminally stupid inner circle of overpaid hacks, both at CTU and at Quest (where the motto seems to be "Firing Teachers the Union Way!").
Every time I read here that someone is offended by the anger coming out of Chris (and his school) I wonder why the anger isn't greater. Having survived (with my family) a number of times when the Boss in this town (and at CTU) played their Donald Trump/ Paul Vallas / Marilyn Stewart "You're fired!" game, my heart is going out to those families that are trying -- right now -- to do their jobs while trying to figure out how their families will be getting medical and dental care six months from now.
And one of those times I heard the words "You're fired!" in that Trumpian autocratic manner was when they were being bellowed by Marilyn Stewart. That particular brand of silliness by Marilyn Stewart has cost the CTU doubly. First, the CTU had no strategic plan for dealing with the city's massive drug gangs once Stewart fired me from my job as Director of Security and Safety. CTU still doesn't. That has cost all the schools since, and the present approaches are an embarrassing joke, right down to Stewart's recent grand event at Washington High School!
The other cost I'll be discussing in a couple of months, in very precise detail.
Anyone who tries to talk about being "sensitive" to Marilyn Stewart in the face of her megalomania and the betrayal of everything this union was built on needs to be retired, exiled, or disciplined. And in three months, when that traitor to unionism stands in front of the American Federation of Teachers, it won't just be my friends who are booing and chanting "Scab!" while the cameras of the world are awaiting the future President of the United States.
Stewart decided to cut deals with Daley that sold out every member of CTU and every other union person in this city (not just in the public schools).
The Sanctimonious Marilyn Stewart knows the scripture and knows what she has sowed.
The whirlwind has already begun to swirl. The victims of her betrayals -- Copernicus, Fulton, Harper, Howe, Morton, Orr are just the beginning of a list that is actually three times longer since the great Stewart Sellout began last August -- begin to organize after the shock they have suffered. It's called treason, betrayal.
She will reap what she has sown...
Marilyn Stewart last spoke out publicly about this tragedy (facing more than 1,000 union members -- total -- from CTU and five other unions) on February 25. I was there at the CTU press conference on February 25 when Stewart basically asked the Board for 90 days to help the Board fire teachers more efficiently. Stewart that day had Dal Lawrence (from Toledo Ohio) brag that he had gotten rid of more "bad teachers" than any administrator in his state. Lawrence, remember, was President of the Toledo Federation of Teachers -- a union! and part of the AFT -- not an administrator.
Stewart didn't even attend the February 27 Board meeting or join the massive protests outside and inside. Instead, a month later she wrote her column in the Chicago Union Teacher blaming the teachers (hundreds of whom protested between January and February) for not following her leadership to PUSH on February 23 (for the second time this school year; for what).
This latest melodrama is taking place while the teachers (and other union staff) at Orr, Harper, Copernicus, Fulton, Howe and Morton face eight more weeks of work, then termination. Remember: only the fully tenured teachers at those schools will get any time to try and find other work. Everyone else is screwed -- thanks to the sweetheart deal contract that Marilyn Stewart negotiated with the Daley people last August.
Instead of simply meditating on the soap opera at the Merchandise Mart offices of the Chicago Teachers Union, those who care about the union -- and unions -- ought to be making some effort to counter every lie Arne Duncan has spewed out. Instead, those lies are unopposed by Marilyn Stewart and her terminally stupid inner circle of overpaid hacks, both at CTU and at Quest (where the motto seems to be "Firing Teachers the Union Way!").
Every time I read here that someone is offended by the anger coming out of Chris (and his school) I wonder why the anger isn't greater. Having survived (with my family) a number of times when the Boss in this town (and at CTU) played their Donald Trump/ Paul Vallas / Marilyn Stewart "You're fired!" game, my heart is going out to those families that are trying -- right now -- to do their jobs while trying to figure out how their families will be getting medical and dental care six months from now.
And one of those times I heard the words "You're fired!" in that Trumpian autocratic manner was when they were being bellowed by Marilyn Stewart. That particular brand of silliness by Marilyn Stewart has cost the CTU doubly. First, the CTU had no strategic plan for dealing with the city's massive drug gangs once Stewart fired me from my job as Director of Security and Safety. CTU still doesn't. That has cost all the schools since, and the present approaches are an embarrassing joke, right down to Stewart's recent grand event at Washington High School!
The other cost I'll be discussing in a couple of months, in very precise detail.
Anyone who tries to talk about being "sensitive" to Marilyn Stewart in the face of her megalomania and the betrayal of everything this union was built on needs to be retired, exiled, or disciplined. And in three months, when that traitor to unionism stands in front of the American Federation of Teachers, it won't just be my friends who are booing and chanting "Scab!" while the cameras of the world are awaiting the future President of the United States.
Stewart decided to cut deals with Daley that sold out every member of CTU and every other union person in this city (not just in the public schools).
The Sanctimonious Marilyn Stewart knows the scripture and knows what she has sowed.
The whirlwind has already begun to swirl. The victims of her betrayals -- Copernicus, Fulton, Harper, Howe, Morton, Orr are just the beginning of a list that is actually three times longer since the great Stewart Sellout began last August -- begin to organize after the shock they have suffered. It's called treason, betrayal.
She will reap what she has sown...
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 2:07 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Stewart? Sellout. Scab. It's that simple.
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 5:34 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
All PATs should withhold $$ from the union if they won't represent us. How about next May 1 for starters? I mean, what am I paying for again? At the very least, if we are to have a two-tiered union, let us see a discount price. The ctu is an embarrassment. We are treated like underpaid fastfood workers, no professional respect at all, our vision and dental is such a joke that I've never even used it. Money -and they always unfurl the kids first slogans when they want more- never seems to reach the classroom, and everyone's working two jobs to meet their Chicago mortgage and taxes. They really need to stop causing such uproar in the schools and neighborhoods with these destabilizing turnarounds too. What, they think they still playing with legos or something? Firing people right and left when you know you'll be hiring, just because you want to withold tenure, scare the staff into sheeplike submission, or reward your friends and family is just plain evil. The union doesn't even enforce the lousy contract they've stuck us with for five years. What gives? I know I didn't go into teaching to be treated like mierda or to be part of this social engineering circus.
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 6:41 AM
..........................................................................................
New slogan for a new week!
Scab Sellout.
What about that CTU staff?
You still backing those scab non-union employees and union busters?
Never answered MS plan that INVITES Grenn DOT charters to Chicago.
YES the news is, unsubstantiated yet, that MS has invited a charter school organization to Chicago.
SCAB SELLOUT!
Can I get a bumper sticker!
And all those supports like PM that writes those threaten notes is just scum.
Next time you are on the house floor you may too be labeled a scab if you keep supporting the union busting measures of our president.
Scab Sellout!
Just keep attacking me and Chris that is a good plan. One dismissed teacher and one PAT1. Very good plan for the office staff of the union to attack the rank and file of the union.
I pay your salaries!
Why would you attack me?
Attack the Board of Education that is firing my brothers and sisters.
Attack the charter schools stealing our jobs.
Attack the gangbangers murding our children.
I know it is easier to attack me. I am a nobody in a probationary school.
I do not have a 200k salary.
I do not have a fancy car.
I do not have a cell phone expense account.
Sorry You could not bribe me to shut up!
By the way it was Nate Dickson who promised me a job downtown not Dallas. This happen when I started speaking out against the contract and hpa voted against it.
It is the MS group that is peddling jobs for cooperation and silence.
Again I am just a teacher in a High Schoool on the south east side of Chicago.
Not a fancy high paid office person downtown making 200K from our blood money dues that are slated to go up the next two years.
Oh you stafferes forgot to blog about the yearly dues increase did you!
well folks here is the news.
I have a document that explains the plan to increase your union dues the next two years.
SEPT 08 5.10%
SEPT 09 4.85%
Thees are only AFT dues not CTU or IFT!
YES loosing jobs. spending our money and raising our dues.
Thank you!
SCUM SELLOUT!
Scab Sellout.
What about that CTU staff?
You still backing those scab non-union employees and union busters?
Never answered MS plan that INVITES Grenn DOT charters to Chicago.
YES the news is, unsubstantiated yet, that MS has invited a charter school organization to Chicago.
SCAB SELLOUT!
Can I get a bumper sticker!
And all those supports like PM that writes those threaten notes is just scum.
Next time you are on the house floor you may too be labeled a scab if you keep supporting the union busting measures of our president.
Scab Sellout!
Just keep attacking me and Chris that is a good plan. One dismissed teacher and one PAT1. Very good plan for the office staff of the union to attack the rank and file of the union.
I pay your salaries!
Why would you attack me?
Attack the Board of Education that is firing my brothers and sisters.
Attack the charter schools stealing our jobs.
Attack the gangbangers murding our children.
I know it is easier to attack me. I am a nobody in a probationary school.
I do not have a 200k salary.
I do not have a fancy car.
I do not have a cell phone expense account.
Sorry You could not bribe me to shut up!
By the way it was Nate Dickson who promised me a job downtown not Dallas. This happen when I started speaking out against the contract and hpa voted against it.
It is the MS group that is peddling jobs for cooperation and silence.
Again I am just a teacher in a High Schoool on the south east side of Chicago.
Not a fancy high paid office person downtown making 200K from our blood money dues that are slated to go up the next two years.
Oh you stafferes forgot to blog about the yearly dues increase did you!
well folks here is the news.
I have a document that explains the plan to increase your union dues the next two years.
SEPT 08 5.10%
SEPT 09 4.85%
Thees are only AFT dues not CTU or IFT!
YES loosing jobs. spending our money and raising our dues.
Thank you!
SCUM SELLOUT!
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 9:45 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Didn't they just raise our union dues? What do you mean there's a scab working in the union? How is that possible? I thought once you crossed a picket line you were immediately taken out of the union.
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 10:12 AM
.......................................................................................
Yes and they are going to raise them each year now. At laest that is what they want to do. maybe that will change if the members refuse thses increases in the house of delegates.
TELL your school delegate to stop the dues increases.
MS sent a letter to AFT and IFT getting permission and advice on how raise dues without house approval in Dec.
The article can be downloaded here
Scab Article
Well lets think how it is possible to be a scab and get a high paying lobby job from your friend you worked with at Kinzie School.
Let me think!
This is a hard one!
Stewart has a tendency to hire people that are non-union and that just reinforces the claims that she is a union buster.
TELL your school delegate to stop the dues increases.
MS sent a letter to AFT and IFT getting permission and advice on how raise dues without house approval in Dec.
The article can be downloaded here
Scab Article
Well lets think how it is possible to be a scab and get a high paying lobby job from your friend you worked with at Kinzie School.
Let me think!
This is a hard one!
Stewart has a tendency to hire people that are non-union and that just reinforces the claims that she is a union buster.
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 10:34 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Thanks for the info. Very interesting article. I thought that there was an unwritten law(common sense) that you needed to be a union member to work at the union. That being said, how can you possibly hire a scab??? Where's the accountability? Who is doing the hiring? Disgusting. What a way to start the week.
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 10:55 AM
.......................................................................................
The Chief of Staff John Ostenburg is a non-union person and never been a teacher. He is in charge of most of the hiring.
In fact we are now in debt over 3 million because of the new $1million loan Marilyn took out this year.
We should be cutting jobs and benefits to save the union from going bankrupt. Hate to say that as a union member myself but the truth hurts. It can done without hurting people new to the staff office.
As far as scab that is inexcusable.
In fact we are now in debt over 3 million because of the new $1million loan Marilyn took out this year.
We should be cutting jobs and benefits to save the union from going bankrupt. Hate to say that as a union member myself but the truth hurts. It can done without hurting people new to the staff office.
As far as scab that is inexcusable.
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 11:28 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
How much money goes into the CTU annually? I was trying to find the budget online but can't seem to find it. I checked out the website only to see the word 'coordinator' several times. At my school the 'coordinators' are all relatives or good friends of the principal. We call them dead weight. What are they 'coordinating' the demise of the union? Who is actually monitoring the spending if the Treasurer isn't? It sounds like kids in a candy store... and I'm taking the bus to school because gas is 4 bucks a gallon.
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 11:55 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
CTU salaries breaking the bank?
No Joke we are Broke!
By John Kugler
April 2008 Substance
At least eight appointed staff members of the Chicago Teachers Union are currently being paid a total salary (base salary plus total benefits) of $200,000 or more in the current year. These include two field reps and six staff members whose titles are "coordinator", according to current CTU records and sources familiar with the current operations of the union.
Almost all of the other professional (as distinct from clerical) staff at the union are paid in excess of $140,000 per year.
Two retired union staff members — Pam Massarsky and Gail Koffman — are also paid in excess of $100,000 per year. This group — which observers are now calling the "$200,000 Club" — includes the following people who are in appointed job titles which did not exist before the 2004 election of Marilyn Stewart as union president:
Nick Cannella (currently holding the title of "Special Projects/Members
Services Coordinator);
Molly Carroll ("Member Services Coordinator");
June Davis ("PSRP Field Staff Coordinator);
Colleen Dykas ("Teacher Field Staff Coordinator");
Connee Fitch-Blanks ("Quest Center Coordinator");
John Ostenburg ("Officer Liaison, Executive Editor, Chief of Staff").
The "$200,000 Club" also includes two people who are currently field reps. The CTU field reps are also appointed by the union's president, but they are currently also members of Teamster Local 743 ("Health Care, Professional, Technical, Office, Warehouse, and Mail Order Employees Union"), which has a new contract with the CTU extending to 2011 (a year after the next union election).
The Teamster contract provides a base salary (current school year) of $90,125 per year. However, the fringe benefits provided to union members include a pension pickup of 21 percent; a car allowance of $11,000 a year; a cell phone allowance of $2,880 per year, a cashout week of paid vacation in an amount ranging from $1,700 per year to $2,200 per year, and reimbursement for expenses. The current field rep salary schedule brings field reps to the top of the schedule after ten years, but the union officers have rewarded some staff with
additional years, thereby increasing their total compensation.
The two field reps who are currently in the "200,000 Club" are:
Eileen Camacho ("Teacher Field Rep");
Nate Dickson ("Teacher Field Rep").
The current analysis does not include the salary and benefits of the union's officers, who are paid according to a different salary schedule.
Union debt
The union is in debt, losing membership and no end in sight. The Chicago Teachers Union — once one of the strongest teachers unions in America — has a reported $1.5 million shortfall for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007. There are outstanding loans for up to $2 million from Amalgamated Bank to cover the union's payments to the IFT and AFT. If that is not enough bad news it is estimated that there has been a loss of 3,000 members in the past years.
How is this happening you say? With the recent dues increase of $38.36 for teachers and $22.04 for PSRP’s, how it is still possible we cannot pay our bills? In the real world it is called mismanagement and overspending. Now the question becomes, how did this happen. It is not hard to figure out. There has been only one party are running the union for two terms now. What is interesting is that there are similarities to the "mandate" Bush Jr. took into his second term of office, just as Marilyn Stewart in the last union elections. Winning by
vilifying the other candidate and promises of a better future the "Stewart Team" won an overwhelming majority for a second term in office.
Now finally in complete control by usurping herself as the supreme Chief Executive Officer of the Union the truth is coming out on the fiscal mismanagement under her leadership. It needs to be clear here that since December 2007 Stewart has taken total control of the executive branch of the Un-ion. In doing so she has stopped the Vice-President and more importantly the Treasurer of any oversight responsibilities within their constitutionally ap-pointed duties. In effect that leaves only one person to blame President Stewart.
The basis for this report is the February, 20 2008 Audit Report of the
2006-2007 CTU finances by Bansley and Kiener, LLP., the 2007-2011 office staff contract that determines the expenditures for the union staff downtown, countless memos and directives from Marilyn Stewart and lastly high level sources within the union who wished to remain anonymous for this article.
Let's get to what's going on. In a March 14, 2008 meeting at union
headquarters when the AFT presented its findings of a fiscal investigation two conclusions were made clear: one, the CTU is overspending and two, the AFT will not allow a budget that is not balanced. Yes, this is the parent union of the CTU
telling the simple facts, STOP SPENDING money you don't have! Incidentally, the AFT report could not be obtained for this story because they were numbered when they were passed out and promptly collected when the AFT presentation was over, showing again the complete domination of President Stewart over to Union without regard to the democratic process of transparency and oversight.
It is not hard to see where all this trouble came from. Salaries and
benefits for Field Representatives that reach $200,000 per year, staffers some of whom have never been a teacher nor CTU member making as much. To make it even worse some of the executive staffers of the CTU do not have the basic credentials to be a classroom teacher: i.e. any college degree. To add to the problem there is office staff pulling in full pensions and a full-time salary who are nowhere to be found on most days of the week. It is reported that one staffer could be making as much as $100,000 per year and only comes in three days per
week to downtown office. There are four Field Reps that have been bumped up four steps in pay in this last contract they signed. Yes, they got a four year advance pay raise. All this comes at a time when teachers are fighting for their jobs during the latest round of school closings and reclassifications to further diminish the power of the Union. Not to mention the economic downturn we will all are experiencing on a daily basis such as, food prices, gasoline prices, high taxes and government overspending.
The following is a snapshot of the budget problems the CTU faces to-day:
1. $2 million loan to pay IFT in AST per caps from Amalgamated Bank.
2. $1.5 million deficit June 30, 2007 and 2006 audit.
3. $475,000 spent to get new contract.
4. $1.5 million [estimated] exclusive legal fees to Larry Poltrock and
associates.
5. $95,000 per month rent for downtown offices.
6. 3000 members [estimated] lost 07-08.
7. No working capital [$100,000 estimated] for a 30 to 35 million dollar operation.
When looking over these figures they are hard to understand and for many non-accountants such as I, do not mean anything. Discussing the plight of the current union fiscal crisis with past and present organizational managers it is clear the only way to save the Union is to make deep cuts in administrative and office budgets downtown. Just to get a balanced budget there needs to be $2 million in cuts made immediately. We are not talking about running a tight ship here, what we're talking about is balancing the budget. That does not take into account the repayment of the loans or the loss of membership. In reality to save the Union there may need to be in additional one or $2 mil-lion in cuts to be able to protect the future fiscal survival of our union.
In simple terms the union is running amok. One person is taking complete control and has surrounded herself with people who have no vested interest in the membership down in the trenches. Those teachers dealing with gang bangers, dysfunctional families, indoctrinated administrators, and a central office that wants to completely wipe out any and all semblance of a powerful union that will stand up for their rights of the working person. That will stand up for the right of each individual to work in a safe environment. That will stand up for each and every member no matter what the situation and protect their job. It is hard to see how a union can protect its members when she cannot
manage its own affairs.
No Joke we are Broke!
By John Kugler
April 2008 Substance
At least eight appointed staff members of the Chicago Teachers Union are currently being paid a total salary (base salary plus total benefits) of $200,000 or more in the current year. These include two field reps and six staff members whose titles are "coordinator", according to current CTU records and sources familiar with the current operations of the union.
Almost all of the other professional (as distinct from clerical) staff at the union are paid in excess of $140,000 per year.
Two retired union staff members — Pam Massarsky and Gail Koffman — are also paid in excess of $100,000 per year. This group — which observers are now calling the "$200,000 Club" — includes the following people who are in appointed job titles which did not exist before the 2004 election of Marilyn Stewart as union president:
Nick Cannella (currently holding the title of "Special Projects/Members
Services Coordinator);
Molly Carroll ("Member Services Coordinator");
June Davis ("PSRP Field Staff Coordinator);
Colleen Dykas ("Teacher Field Staff Coordinator");
Connee Fitch-Blanks ("Quest Center Coordinator");
John Ostenburg ("Officer Liaison, Executive Editor, Chief of Staff").
The "$200,000 Club" also includes two people who are currently field reps. The CTU field reps are also appointed by the union's president, but they are currently also members of Teamster Local 743 ("Health Care, Professional, Technical, Office, Warehouse, and Mail Order Employees Union"), which has a new contract with the CTU extending to 2011 (a year after the next union election).
The Teamster contract provides a base salary (current school year) of $90,125 per year. However, the fringe benefits provided to union members include a pension pickup of 21 percent; a car allowance of $11,000 a year; a cell phone allowance of $2,880 per year, a cashout week of paid vacation in an amount ranging from $1,700 per year to $2,200 per year, and reimbursement for expenses. The current field rep salary schedule brings field reps to the top of the schedule after ten years, but the union officers have rewarded some staff with
additional years, thereby increasing their total compensation.
The two field reps who are currently in the "200,000 Club" are:
Eileen Camacho ("Teacher Field Rep");
Nate Dickson ("Teacher Field Rep").
The current analysis does not include the salary and benefits of the union's officers, who are paid according to a different salary schedule.
Union debt
The union is in debt, losing membership and no end in sight. The Chicago Teachers Union — once one of the strongest teachers unions in America — has a reported $1.5 million shortfall for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007. There are outstanding loans for up to $2 million from Amalgamated Bank to cover the union's payments to the IFT and AFT. If that is not enough bad news it is estimated that there has been a loss of 3,000 members in the past years.
How is this happening you say? With the recent dues increase of $38.36 for teachers and $22.04 for PSRP’s, how it is still possible we cannot pay our bills? In the real world it is called mismanagement and overspending. Now the question becomes, how did this happen. It is not hard to figure out. There has been only one party are running the union for two terms now. What is interesting is that there are similarities to the "mandate" Bush Jr. took into his second term of office, just as Marilyn Stewart in the last union elections. Winning by
vilifying the other candidate and promises of a better future the "Stewart Team" won an overwhelming majority for a second term in office.
Now finally in complete control by usurping herself as the supreme Chief Executive Officer of the Union the truth is coming out on the fiscal mismanagement under her leadership. It needs to be clear here that since December 2007 Stewart has taken total control of the executive branch of the Un-ion. In doing so she has stopped the Vice-President and more importantly the Treasurer of any oversight responsibilities within their constitutionally ap-pointed duties. In effect that leaves only one person to blame President Stewart.
The basis for this report is the February, 20 2008 Audit Report of the
2006-2007 CTU finances by Bansley and Kiener, LLP., the 2007-2011 office staff contract that determines the expenditures for the union staff downtown, countless memos and directives from Marilyn Stewart and lastly high level sources within the union who wished to remain anonymous for this article.
Let's get to what's going on. In a March 14, 2008 meeting at union
headquarters when the AFT presented its findings of a fiscal investigation two conclusions were made clear: one, the CTU is overspending and two, the AFT will not allow a budget that is not balanced. Yes, this is the parent union of the CTU
telling the simple facts, STOP SPENDING money you don't have! Incidentally, the AFT report could not be obtained for this story because they were numbered when they were passed out and promptly collected when the AFT presentation was over, showing again the complete domination of President Stewart over to Union without regard to the democratic process of transparency and oversight.
It is not hard to see where all this trouble came from. Salaries and
benefits for Field Representatives that reach $200,000 per year, staffers some of whom have never been a teacher nor CTU member making as much. To make it even worse some of the executive staffers of the CTU do not have the basic credentials to be a classroom teacher: i.e. any college degree. To add to the problem there is office staff pulling in full pensions and a full-time salary who are nowhere to be found on most days of the week. It is reported that one staffer could be making as much as $100,000 per year and only comes in three days per
week to downtown office. There are four Field Reps that have been bumped up four steps in pay in this last contract they signed. Yes, they got a four year advance pay raise. All this comes at a time when teachers are fighting for their jobs during the latest round of school closings and reclassifications to further diminish the power of the Union. Not to mention the economic downturn we will all are experiencing on a daily basis such as, food prices, gasoline prices, high taxes and government overspending.
The following is a snapshot of the budget problems the CTU faces to-day:
1. $2 million loan to pay IFT in AST per caps from Amalgamated Bank.
2. $1.5 million deficit June 30, 2007 and 2006 audit.
3. $475,000 spent to get new contract.
4. $1.5 million [estimated] exclusive legal fees to Larry Poltrock and
associates.
5. $95,000 per month rent for downtown offices.
6. 3000 members [estimated] lost 07-08.
7. No working capital [$100,000 estimated] for a 30 to 35 million dollar operation.
When looking over these figures they are hard to understand and for many non-accountants such as I, do not mean anything. Discussing the plight of the current union fiscal crisis with past and present organizational managers it is clear the only way to save the Union is to make deep cuts in administrative and office budgets downtown. Just to get a balanced budget there needs to be $2 million in cuts made immediately. We are not talking about running a tight ship here, what we're talking about is balancing the budget. That does not take into account the repayment of the loans or the loss of membership. In reality to save the Union there may need to be in additional one or $2 mil-lion in cuts to be able to protect the future fiscal survival of our union.
In simple terms the union is running amok. One person is taking complete control and has surrounded herself with people who have no vested interest in the membership down in the trenches. Those teachers dealing with gang bangers, dysfunctional families, indoctrinated administrators, and a central office that wants to completely wipe out any and all semblance of a powerful union that will stand up for their rights of the working person. That will stand up for the right of each individual to work in a safe environment. That will stand up for each and every member no matter what the situation and protect their job. It is hard to see how a union can protect its members when she cannot
manage its own affairs.
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 1:43 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
We can not right the CTU ship unless we take on the bigger fight, the one George correctly pointed out, the one the sisters and brothers at Senn High School have pointed out, the one that the sisters and brothers and Orr have pointed out, and the one that the sisters and borthers at elementary schools like Andersen have pointed out.
All of us are currently losing money on our contract, the CPI is rapidly climbing we are stuck with the sorry non-indexed salary increase. I mean most of us drive, a few of us bike to school or walk, but most of us are taking a huge hit in transportation costs.
But even on this blog and in schools teachers pointed out the faults with the current contract, but teachers approved it. Why? Because we are afraid to lose everything, we want to hang on for a few more years and get a pension. What pension will that be? The one Daley will steal from us?
MS is losing it because even she can see the ship is going down and all of the rats are biting at her to get into the life boats. Brothers and sisters we have think outside of the box, we have to go on the offensive including creative job actions. The teachers at the schools being closed should be massively sick and frequently between now and the end of the year. Many more of us should be frequently sick between now and the end of the year.
I can hear it now, oh no that will hurt the kids. Well the kids will be hurt a lot more once CPS breaks our union. Because the average wage of all charter and contract teachers pegged to starting CTU scales will plunge and even these schools will have even more trouble than they have now in getting and retaining staff. Non-privatized schools will be limited in Daley's brave new world to magnets, gifted, and selective high schools and these schools' teachers will make less and less than their suburban counterparts. The revolving door of teachers will become a spining door with huge parts of the teaching force turning over ever three years and the children will be hurt. Our union is the best protector of the children, our first strike was a strike over clean water for our children in the early 1900s. Let our last strike, if it is to be our last strike, be one to save our children from the for-profit schemers who are sacking our school system.
The House must move to impeach MS, Ted in no saint, but he is not crazy. We need to right our ship. We need to prepare to fight back.
All of us are currently losing money on our contract, the CPI is rapidly climbing we are stuck with the sorry non-indexed salary increase. I mean most of us drive, a few of us bike to school or walk, but most of us are taking a huge hit in transportation costs.
But even on this blog and in schools teachers pointed out the faults with the current contract, but teachers approved it. Why? Because we are afraid to lose everything, we want to hang on for a few more years and get a pension. What pension will that be? The one Daley will steal from us?
MS is losing it because even she can see the ship is going down and all of the rats are biting at her to get into the life boats. Brothers and sisters we have think outside of the box, we have to go on the offensive including creative job actions. The teachers at the schools being closed should be massively sick and frequently between now and the end of the year. Many more of us should be frequently sick between now and the end of the year.
I can hear it now, oh no that will hurt the kids. Well the kids will be hurt a lot more once CPS breaks our union. Because the average wage of all charter and contract teachers pegged to starting CTU scales will plunge and even these schools will have even more trouble than they have now in getting and retaining staff. Non-privatized schools will be limited in Daley's brave new world to magnets, gifted, and selective high schools and these schools' teachers will make less and less than their suburban counterparts. The revolving door of teachers will become a spining door with huge parts of the teaching force turning over ever three years and the children will be hurt. Our union is the best protector of the children, our first strike was a strike over clean water for our children in the early 1900s. Let our last strike, if it is to be our last strike, be one to save our children from the for-profit schemers who are sacking our school system.
The House must move to impeach MS, Ted in no saint, but he is not crazy. We need to right our ship. We need to prepare to fight back.
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 1:58 PM
........................................................................................
if your are sick and tired take May 1st off.
To show solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the closing schools.
To show solidarity that we stand together.
To show CPS and CTU we are strong!
To SAY
STOP MESSING WITH THE UNION!
Lets Stand Together
To show solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the closing schools.
To show solidarity that we stand together.
To show CPS and CTU we are strong!
To SAY
STOP MESSING WITH THE UNION!
Lets Stand Together
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 2:51 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
As a long-time employee and observer of CPS I hate to rain on the anti-Marilyn Stewart parade, but the union's decline began with Debbie Lynch.....M.S. is just continuing Debbie's work.
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 2:58 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
BeenThereDoneThat,
Don't worry, you haven't rained on any parades.
The Union's decline under Debbie Lynch is no excuse for the pathetic job Stewart is doing. Stewart does an incredibly poor job in her own right and surely not all of it can be blamed on previous administrations.
Don't worry, you haven't rained on any parades.
The Union's decline under Debbie Lynch is no excuse for the pathetic job Stewart is doing. Stewart does an incredibly poor job in her own right and surely not all of it can be blamed on previous administrations.
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 3:13 PM
.......................................................................................
Fiscal Year Net Assets
2000-2001 $5,685,925
2003-2004 $5,600,833
2004-2005 $3,412,533
2005-2006 $2,293,490
2006-2007 $188,044
2007-2008 -$900,000 + -$1,000,000 loan this year
As of this date we are close to $4,000, 000 in debt if you add the two loans to cover the caps we already have taken out.
2000-2001 $5,685,925
2003-2004 $5,600,833
2004-2005 $3,412,533
2005-2006 $2,293,490
2006-2007 $188,044
2007-2008 -$900,000 + -$1,000,000 loan this year
As of this date we are close to $4,000, 000 in debt if you add the two loans to cover the caps we already have taken out.
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 3:39 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Thanks for the salary rundown. Fitzgerald should open a file on these people.
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 4:01 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Ask her yourself what is going on!
marilynstewart@ctulocal1.com
marilynstewart@ctulocal1.com
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 8:08 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
I tried several times.She does not respond.Is she afraid?
Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 8:14 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
All members regardless of current affiliation are welcome at Parthenon Restaurant @ 4:30 p.m. 319 S Halsted on MAY 1st.
It is not just aTD meeting it is an attempt to bring all people together in order to stop the selfdestruction of the CTU.
It is not just aTD meeting it is an attempt to bring all people together in order to stop the selfdestruction of the CTU.
Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 4:09 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
One of the more droll activities lately at CTU has been the scab coverup.
Since union members began pressuring CTU about Marilyn Stewart's decision to hire a scab (instead of any of about 30,000 union members who never scabbed), Stewart's people have gone through a couple of flips. First, "Not true!" Of course, that didn't work. Scabs stood out, even at school where the union delegate never filed a grievance or acted like union (Kinzie anyone, back in the day?).
And some union members have been talking about voluntarily boycotting the CTU PAC fund (it's voluntary, as opposed to mandatory, like dues or agency fee). If that spread, wow. And all the CTU would have to do is get rid of the scab.
Or -- the cover up.
So now reliable sources report that some at CTU have been cooking the books, changing the official stories around, parsing every technicality in the jargon, and trying desperately to cover up their tracks.
Trouble is, it can't work, even on technicalities. A scab's a scab, and a union president who'd hire one (after firing more than a dozen union staffers who had never thought of crossing a picket line) has some serious -- is "issues" the current word?
One of the reasons why the Rules of Evidence (as every lawyer here knows) requires a human being to testify under oath is that documents are viewed, shall we say, critically, by law. So if it comes to this, and since people have already stated the truth more than once and to more than one source, it comes down to two questions, both about Marilyn Stewart's employee choices.
When did you know and why did you make that hire?
Sorry. I don't think the leaders of the other AFT locals who will be gathering here in Chicago in three months want to hear all that doubletalk we've been getting. It's a yes or no question.
And, of course, there are certainly 30,000 or so CTU members who never scabbed who might like the idea of a fair ("transparent") hiring system at CTU, especially when it comes to high profile jobs dealing regularly with politicians.
Now that the word's out that Stewart hired a scab, Stewart's people are in the next stage of the cover up, claiming that, well, maybe the picket line was crossed, but, probably, er, you know, not a lot, and anyway, you know how it is, the person sort of settled up, and anyway that's what the computer said, and we all know the computers at the CTU never never never tell a lie or get a fact wrong.
Second City needs this show.
Since union members began pressuring CTU about Marilyn Stewart's decision to hire a scab (instead of any of about 30,000 union members who never scabbed), Stewart's people have gone through a couple of flips. First, "Not true!" Of course, that didn't work. Scabs stood out, even at school where the union delegate never filed a grievance or acted like union (Kinzie anyone, back in the day?).
And some union members have been talking about voluntarily boycotting the CTU PAC fund (it's voluntary, as opposed to mandatory, like dues or agency fee). If that spread, wow. And all the CTU would have to do is get rid of the scab.
Or -- the cover up.
So now reliable sources report that some at CTU have been cooking the books, changing the official stories around, parsing every technicality in the jargon, and trying desperately to cover up their tracks.
Trouble is, it can't work, even on technicalities. A scab's a scab, and a union president who'd hire one (after firing more than a dozen union staffers who had never thought of crossing a picket line) has some serious -- is "issues" the current word?
One of the reasons why the Rules of Evidence (as every lawyer here knows) requires a human being to testify under oath is that documents are viewed, shall we say, critically, by law. So if it comes to this, and since people have already stated the truth more than once and to more than one source, it comes down to two questions, both about Marilyn Stewart's employee choices.
When did you know and why did you make that hire?
Sorry. I don't think the leaders of the other AFT locals who will be gathering here in Chicago in three months want to hear all that doubletalk we've been getting. It's a yes or no question.
And, of course, there are certainly 30,000 or so CTU members who never scabbed who might like the idea of a fair ("transparent") hiring system at CTU, especially when it comes to high profile jobs dealing regularly with politicians.
Now that the word's out that Stewart hired a scab, Stewart's people are in the next stage of the cover up, claiming that, well, maybe the picket line was crossed, but, probably, er, you know, not a lot, and anyway, you know how it is, the person sort of settled up, and anyway that's what the computer said, and we all know the computers at the CTU never never never tell a lie or get a fact wrong.
Second City needs this show.
Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 6:00 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
I like the idea of using PAC for internal leverage since our reps are not responding to legitimate workplace grievances and other violations. Truth is though, I never give because I'm broke and I don't trust 'em anyway. Planned sick-outs too would be nice or some on site manifestations of solidarity. Too bad we didn't have a group of retired teachers trained in performance art to attend all public displays of bathos on the part of our representatives and da mare. Now that I'd really like to see.
Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 3:54 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
The union's decline began with Tom Reese. The very same union president who hadn't been in a classroom for 20 years, who said, "If you are on probation, you deserve to be!"
The very same union president who arranged for Teach for America and other groups to come into the schools, pick up the best schedules and overtime and be hired instead of union members--using the same argument the new people at Orr are using, "Well, union members are being fired. But union members are being hired, so..."
The very same union president who arranged for the contract vote to be downtown, labor day weekend, with no checks or balances...and then trumpted his winning contract.
Want to bring some balance to the union> Charge dues based on senority, with the newest members paying the least....that will get MS's attention.
Want to bring some balance to the union? Work with an active caucus. Go to the May 1 meeting at the Parthenon on Halsted (in the city) at 4:30 and plan action.
For those of us who aren't delegates, how do we get a copy of the union's constitution and bylaws?
The very same union president who arranged for Teach for America and other groups to come into the schools, pick up the best schedules and overtime and be hired instead of union members--using the same argument the new people at Orr are using, "Well, union members are being fired. But union members are being hired, so..."
The very same union president who arranged for the contract vote to be downtown, labor day weekend, with no checks or balances...and then trumpted his winning contract.
Want to bring some balance to the union> Charge dues based on senority, with the newest members paying the least....that will get MS's attention.
Want to bring some balance to the union? Work with an active caucus. Go to the May 1 meeting at the Parthenon on Halsted (in the city) at 4:30 and plan action.
For those of us who aren't delegates, how do we get a copy of the union's constitution and bylaws?
Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 4:16 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
The copy of the Constitution and by-laws will be available shortly on our new web page.
At this time please contact coollaw3@yahoo.com to receive one.
WAKE UP YOU WILL BE NEXT
See you at Parthenon (319 S Halsted).
At this time please contact coollaw3@yahoo.com to receive one.
WAKE UP YOU WILL BE NEXT
See you at Parthenon (319 S Halsted).
Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 5:24 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Remember the Tennis court oath! I’ll wait and see if those planning all this stuff
are real. If you are you got me. Remember Dallas is UPC to the bone. Do not trust
any of them .They have a record almost as bad as the School Board, and will sell
us out just like they have for over 30 years.
are real. If you are you got me. Remember Dallas is UPC to the bone. Do not trust
any of them .They have a record almost as bad as the School Board, and will sell
us out just like they have for over 30 years.
Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 5:58 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Some things have been written about me on this blog that are not accurate. Just for the record: I have been a classroom teacher in both private and public schools; furthermore, I've taught at every grade level from fifth grade through graduate student, at elementary, secondary, community college, and university levels; finally, I am a dues-paying member of the AFT, paying the same amount as our teacher members, and have been since first being employed by the CTU in a full-time position in 1998, with the exception of a relatively short period of the time during which I was a employed by the Lynch administration. While I was a legislator, I enjoyed strong support from organized labor because of my pro-union positions and votes. At present, I am the only CTU administrator to have held administrative posts under the past three Union presidents: Tom Reece, Debbie Lynch, and Marilyn Stewart. And, my total salary and benefits package does not equal $200,000, as has been alleged. I'm not quite sure why the attacks on me, but recognize that everyone is entitled to his/her personal opinion. However, I'd prefer that those attacking me at least keep the facts straight. Thanks.
Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 8:47 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Dear by:1:04
The Coalition would like to work with all members regardless of affiliation.TD is known by his former colleagues as a good and effective delegate from Wells.
We can not reject any experienced Union activist at this time.
Welcome TD,DL and others with the ability to help us to remove MS from her post.We have to stop destruction and corruption-it is to be or not to be for ALL of us.Next election?it is a long way to go...Theln we will make a decision -the best one for the future of our profession in the City.
The Coalition would like to work with all members regardless of affiliation.TD is known by his former colleagues as a good and effective delegate from Wells.
We can not reject any experienced Union activist at this time.
Welcome TD,DL and others with the ability to help us to remove MS from her post.We have to stop destruction and corruption-it is to be or not to be for ALL of us.Next election?it is a long way to go...Theln we will make a decision -the best one for the future of our profession in the City.
Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 9:33 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Hey John Ostenberg, care to comment on this previous posting from "High Level Strife":
This started when Dallas asked Sheffer and Massarsky to do his bidding for him. He wanted Stewart to work in a different role within the union, for the obvious reasons. The two above mentioned old UPC'ers needed to convince Editor Ostenburg to jump on board, since he was Stewart's closest confidant. After their initial discussion, Ostenburg agreed that Stewart should step down for the sake of the caucus. A week later, Ostenburg smelled the power and completly flipped sensing he could convince the weak charactered Stewart to turn on her mentor. By that time, staffers who were on the way out (for a variety of reasons) smelled the blood. This internal group bonded to get rid of the only person who was holding them accountable to deliver for the members. So, who's really to blame? My source tells me that Dallas agreed to make all decisions in conjunction with Stewart, but before it could be worked out, the sharks already took their bite. Ostenburg is to blame! Sheffer takes the full brunt and gets fired with pride, but Massarsky flips quickly to Stewart's side for the almighty dollar. Some people just can't get enough money.
So tell us John Ostenberg, do you have a current CTU membership card? Don't play ring around the rosey with the facts.
This started when Dallas asked Sheffer and Massarsky to do his bidding for him. He wanted Stewart to work in a different role within the union, for the obvious reasons. The two above mentioned old UPC'ers needed to convince Editor Ostenburg to jump on board, since he was Stewart's closest confidant. After their initial discussion, Ostenburg agreed that Stewart should step down for the sake of the caucus. A week later, Ostenburg smelled the power and completly flipped sensing he could convince the weak charactered Stewart to turn on her mentor. By that time, staffers who were on the way out (for a variety of reasons) smelled the blood. This internal group bonded to get rid of the only person who was holding them accountable to deliver for the members. So, who's really to blame? My source tells me that Dallas agreed to make all decisions in conjunction with Stewart, but before it could be worked out, the sharks already took their bite. Ostenburg is to blame! Sheffer takes the full brunt and gets fired with pride, but Massarsky flips quickly to Stewart's side for the almighty dollar. Some people just can't get enough money.
So tell us John Ostenberg, do you have a current CTU membership card? Don't play ring around the rosey with the facts.
Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 10:37 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
That is absolutely false. I never held the position that President Stewart should "step down" for the good of the caucus or for any other reason. When I worked with Pam Massarsky and Diana Sheffer, along with several other persons, to try and patch up the problems among the officers it was because Pam and Diana asked me to do so (and I have copies of e-mails to prove that!), and I believed at the time that they were sincere in their attempts to get the officers to work together in a more positive fashion. The negotiations that Diana and Pam were engaged in with President Stewart and Vice President Dallas fell apart, and subsequently Pam and Diana seemed to take different viewpoints of the direction in which things should go. About that time, President Stewart took the firm position that things had gone far enough and she was assuming rightful control of the Union as she was empowered to do by the Constitution and By Laws. The overwhelming majority of staff members agreed that she was right in doing so, as did the overwhelming number of members of the United Progressive Caucus. As time has progressed, other matters have come to light that have caused concern among a number of persons on the CTU staff and within the UPC, but these revelations have only solidified the support that President Stewart has with both the staff and the caucus. Most of this controversy is being fed by persons who are making statements about things of which they have no first-hand knowledge; rather, they are listening of second-, third-, and fourth-hand reports in drawing their conclusions. I don't deny anyone the right to have an opinion, or to express that opinion, but I think all individuals should treat others fairly and not make false and demeaning statements based on something they have heard and not on anything of which they actually have proof or personal knowledge. That has been a standard that I have followed throughout my professional career. I have written on this blog only twice, and both times only to correct misinformation about me personally that was posted. I have no desire to be a blogger and have no intention to make any further posts, provided no further inaccurate statements about me are posted and need to be corrected. And, YES, I have a current CTU membership card. Furthermore, the membership records show that I have held that card for the entire time that I indicated in my earlier posting. You know my name, so you can have someone check the records and verify my membership. My question is, do YOU have a current CTU membership card? Since you don't post your name, it's not possible for me to check on you the way you can check on me. Thanks.
Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 11:49 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
There is no way of knowing how many blogs you have posted. You admit you got involved. Prior to being named "chief of staff", you held the title of "officer liaison", correct? So answer this question John. Did you accept the position of liaison because Vice President Dallas did not agree to you being chief of staff at first? If you were appointed chief of staff, that would mean you would be Ted Dallas' boss right? Furthermore, President Stewart hasn't been able to take a firm position for her entire term. Did you help her a little bit? Rumor around the watercooler is that you are not in the office as much lately. Question, did Dallas ever inquire about yourwork schedule? Were you offended if he did? As personnel boss, did Dallas ever tell friends of yours on staff to work or be disciplined? Do your alliances in the office work full days or come and go as they please now that your in charge? How many times do members call the union and get answering machines under your watch? I can go on and on with what is being told to me but the bottomline is, you have benefitted from the officers dissention.
Do you think Stewart would have listened to you if you told her to continue trying to resolve her issues with Dallas. My source tells me that your "about that time", was a week. Within one week, you determined to support Stewart's decision to send the "In Solidarity Letter" to Duncan. Sorry John, I don't believe you. You could have resolved this thing, but then you wouldn't be the boss right now would you. Do you care about jobs? Tell the truth about your assistants, are they really close family friends?
You talk about the staffers who were being held accountable for servicing the members, most of whom were put into their positions by Dallas. Let's talk about the first caucus meeting in January after Dallas' removal. Reports have it that the agenda was fastracked and many caucus members couldn't believe what was happening. My sources in the caucus also tell me that attendance at the caucus meetings has steadily declined. Finally, everyone who commented at the January caucus meeting against Dallas and Porter were highly paid office staff. Sure sounds orchestrated to me. If you believe in freedom of speech, you shouldn't care who I am. Am I a union member? Why would I know so much, or more or less care if I wasn't. Don't respond if you don't want to. I can go word for word with you Mr. Mayor!
Do you think Stewart would have listened to you if you told her to continue trying to resolve her issues with Dallas. My source tells me that your "about that time", was a week. Within one week, you determined to support Stewart's decision to send the "In Solidarity Letter" to Duncan. Sorry John, I don't believe you. You could have resolved this thing, but then you wouldn't be the boss right now would you. Do you care about jobs? Tell the truth about your assistants, are they really close family friends?
You talk about the staffers who were being held accountable for servicing the members, most of whom were put into their positions by Dallas. Let's talk about the first caucus meeting in January after Dallas' removal. Reports have it that the agenda was fastracked and many caucus members couldn't believe what was happening. My sources in the caucus also tell me that attendance at the caucus meetings has steadily declined. Finally, everyone who commented at the January caucus meeting against Dallas and Porter were highly paid office staff. Sure sounds orchestrated to me. If you believe in freedom of speech, you shouldn't care who I am. Am I a union member? Why would I know so much, or more or less care if I wasn't. Don't respond if you don't want to. I can go word for word with you Mr. Mayor!
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 1:18 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
that rumor that you hired a mother and daughter onto the staff of the CTU?Are they teachers or CTU members?Are they your friends?How are they more experienced or deserving than the 30000 members of our union?many of whom have been lost their jobs due to the school closings that you have not advised MS to stop.Why is that?Why don't you all do something to stop the closings?see there is the inherent problem with any argument or facts you present.you are in power and refuse to do anything against the school closings.is it true that your plan is to blame reese for the fiscal troubles we have now?too many questions you can not answer because you are the problem. you are not a loyal union member you back stabbed your own vice president to take his job in the office. after he told MS she blew the contract. you also making him keep his door open so you can watch what he is doing all day. imagine you a hired hand telling an elected official what to do.Makes you feel good i bet. have you figured out how to get rid or marilyn yet and take complete control? or is she just along for the ride now.
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 4:38 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
My concerns at this point, John and others, include getting enough accurate information to report what I will be reporting and to edit accurately what others are reporting for the publication I edit.
For four years, as Ms. Genova can attest, I have asked to interview Ms. Stewart about matters about which I've reported, and she has always refused to talk about them. Her pretexts have varied, but the major one seems to have been (if Genova's explanation for that it accurate, since Stewart won't talk) that I was litigating my contract with CTU. As many people here know, I sued CTU after Stewart fired me (but not some others from the "Debbie Lynch" staff) for performance of my contract, and that case has been decided (I won). So that pretext for not talking to me as a reporter had ended.
I'm curious as to what the others are, but within the past week, I've e-mailed two people on the CTU staff asking for interviews about a major story which I will have in print in a week. Neither of them has responded, and in that case I'll simply report that they didn't respond. This story will go forward based on the sources I can assemble, since it is a major story about the origins and ratification of the current five-year contract under which the remaining 30,000 members of the Chicago Teachers Union have to work.
It's a good thing here that John Ostenburg is blogging on these matters, and in his own name. There will be a lot more said and done about the nature of anonymous bloggings in the years to come, since they have proved more pernicious than helpful most of the time. To date, almost all of the "Old UPC" side of this discussion has been anonymous, while at least two of the "Old UPC" people who are now "New UPC" (Kugler and Chris) have blogged in their own names here. Now, from the union staff (and, I assume, "New UPC") John Ostenburg.
Those are good things, since these questions will linger until there are some facts more than what are presently available.
So I'll suggest one set of facts that have to be presented and another set that should be.
First, the CTU budget. Next Wednesday, the members of the CTU House of Delegates will be receiving the 2008-2009 union budget. There have been demands for transparency that have not been answered. I have suggested (dozens of times here and elsewhere) that many of these demands could be met by providing the members with the "LM2" information CTU should have been providing all along. Next week, I'll be publishing "LM2" information from AFT Local 2 (New York's United Federation of Teachers) and SEIU Local 73 (the massive local that includes CPS custodial workers; security aides; and special education aides). One LM2 (New York's) shows how AFT locals conform to the LM2 rules. The other (Local 73 SEIU) shows how a major union representing CPS workers does.
There is no credibility to any claims about CTU employee compensation as long as CTU (a) refuses to file the LM2 information and (b) refuses to make that information -- in detail -- available to the union's members at budget time. If, as is expected, the "Budget" presented to the members next week includes only vague summaries of the pay and benefits of the union's staff, then the problems will get worse, not better.
And until the information available to the union's members itemizes all of the benefits received by CTU staff (including annuities, which are as good as cash, only deferred and taxed later), I'll stand by a reporter who reports what he can.
Additionally, there is the ongoing question of how the Chicago Teachers Union negotiated, approved, then ratified the current contract -- under which the union's dwindling number of members will be living for the next four years and three months.
There are still more questions than answers about all of these events, and they aren't going away just because some people think they can be ignored. I intend to report what I can learn from all available sources, and to report which sources refuse to talk (and "why" if they share that).
Furthermore, we'll (now I'm speaking as an editor) will continue to report these things both in print for subscribers and (later) on the Web (for an audience that cannot be identified or even estimated, but which is vast).
Now, more than ever, it's necessary for those who try and report the facts, then separate fact from opinion, to figure out how to assign credibility to reports. Blogging is a medium that doesn't require much fact checking, but others do. And, finally, the credibility of an assertion of fact will rest on how it can be vetted and -- this is pretty important -- the credibility of the person who asserts those facts.
As people here know, when these threads began about the internal nonsense going on at CTU, I held back on assigning credibility to the "In Solidarity" letter from Marilyn Stewart to Arne Duncan (December 26, 2007) until it was verified. And I didn't put it into print until February 2008. There are other "facts" which I'm still trying to check.
But there is no way certain things won't be reported simply because some people are refusing to discuss them. Those days are over, as this makes clear.
And I'm afraid that I'm less impressed with some people's credibility than I once was. Three years ago, I personally witnessed the UPC having the former President of the Chicago Teachers Union arrested after they set her up at a union meeting. I covered that story, but became convinced that if I hadn't taken photographs, the UPC would later have denied it even happened. But I also had to endure some sophistry on the part of some people who claimed (later, in the pages of The Chicago Union Teacher) that it wasn't really an "arrest."
Times have changed radically, as this blog shows. Whether the members of the CTU (especially the younger ones who are making their decisions about unionism as I write this on technology that many of my age peers don't have) get the candor and transparency they deserve remains to be seen.
So far, the UPC (and CTU) leadership have been lacking in candor -- or worse -- about these matters. Next week the budget will show whether those things have changed. I don't expect that budget will answer the questions that reasonable people will have.
And since those of us who pay CTU dues have the right to know the answers to these questions (not generalized assertions), this will be very very interesting.
For four years, as Ms. Genova can attest, I have asked to interview Ms. Stewart about matters about which I've reported, and she has always refused to talk about them. Her pretexts have varied, but the major one seems to have been (if Genova's explanation for that it accurate, since Stewart won't talk) that I was litigating my contract with CTU. As many people here know, I sued CTU after Stewart fired me (but not some others from the "Debbie Lynch" staff) for performance of my contract, and that case has been decided (I won). So that pretext for not talking to me as a reporter had ended.
I'm curious as to what the others are, but within the past week, I've e-mailed two people on the CTU staff asking for interviews about a major story which I will have in print in a week. Neither of them has responded, and in that case I'll simply report that they didn't respond. This story will go forward based on the sources I can assemble, since it is a major story about the origins and ratification of the current five-year contract under which the remaining 30,000 members of the Chicago Teachers Union have to work.
It's a good thing here that John Ostenburg is blogging on these matters, and in his own name. There will be a lot more said and done about the nature of anonymous bloggings in the years to come, since they have proved more pernicious than helpful most of the time. To date, almost all of the "Old UPC" side of this discussion has been anonymous, while at least two of the "Old UPC" people who are now "New UPC" (Kugler and Chris) have blogged in their own names here. Now, from the union staff (and, I assume, "New UPC") John Ostenburg.
Those are good things, since these questions will linger until there are some facts more than what are presently available.
So I'll suggest one set of facts that have to be presented and another set that should be.
First, the CTU budget. Next Wednesday, the members of the CTU House of Delegates will be receiving the 2008-2009 union budget. There have been demands for transparency that have not been answered. I have suggested (dozens of times here and elsewhere) that many of these demands could be met by providing the members with the "LM2" information CTU should have been providing all along. Next week, I'll be publishing "LM2" information from AFT Local 2 (New York's United Federation of Teachers) and SEIU Local 73 (the massive local that includes CPS custodial workers; security aides; and special education aides). One LM2 (New York's) shows how AFT locals conform to the LM2 rules. The other (Local 73 SEIU) shows how a major union representing CPS workers does.
There is no credibility to any claims about CTU employee compensation as long as CTU (a) refuses to file the LM2 information and (b) refuses to make that information -- in detail -- available to the union's members at budget time. If, as is expected, the "Budget" presented to the members next week includes only vague summaries of the pay and benefits of the union's staff, then the problems will get worse, not better.
And until the information available to the union's members itemizes all of the benefits received by CTU staff (including annuities, which are as good as cash, only deferred and taxed later), I'll stand by a reporter who reports what he can.
Additionally, there is the ongoing question of how the Chicago Teachers Union negotiated, approved, then ratified the current contract -- under which the union's dwindling number of members will be living for the next four years and three months.
There are still more questions than answers about all of these events, and they aren't going away just because some people think they can be ignored. I intend to report what I can learn from all available sources, and to report which sources refuse to talk (and "why" if they share that).
Furthermore, we'll (now I'm speaking as an editor) will continue to report these things both in print for subscribers and (later) on the Web (for an audience that cannot be identified or even estimated, but which is vast).
Now, more than ever, it's necessary for those who try and report the facts, then separate fact from opinion, to figure out how to assign credibility to reports. Blogging is a medium that doesn't require much fact checking, but others do. And, finally, the credibility of an assertion of fact will rest on how it can be vetted and -- this is pretty important -- the credibility of the person who asserts those facts.
As people here know, when these threads began about the internal nonsense going on at CTU, I held back on assigning credibility to the "In Solidarity" letter from Marilyn Stewart to Arne Duncan (December 26, 2007) until it was verified. And I didn't put it into print until February 2008. There are other "facts" which I'm still trying to check.
But there is no way certain things won't be reported simply because some people are refusing to discuss them. Those days are over, as this makes clear.
And I'm afraid that I'm less impressed with some people's credibility than I once was. Three years ago, I personally witnessed the UPC having the former President of the Chicago Teachers Union arrested after they set her up at a union meeting. I covered that story, but became convinced that if I hadn't taken photographs, the UPC would later have denied it even happened. But I also had to endure some sophistry on the part of some people who claimed (later, in the pages of The Chicago Union Teacher) that it wasn't really an "arrest."
Times have changed radically, as this blog shows. Whether the members of the CTU (especially the younger ones who are making their decisions about unionism as I write this on technology that many of my age peers don't have) get the candor and transparency they deserve remains to be seen.
So far, the UPC (and CTU) leadership have been lacking in candor -- or worse -- about these matters. Next week the budget will show whether those things have changed. I don't expect that budget will answer the questions that reasonable people will have.
And since those of us who pay CTU dues have the right to know the answers to these questions (not generalized assertions), this will be very very interesting.
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 5:37 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
I just received by e-mail a copy of the "budget" that Marilyn Stewart apparently intends to present to the House of Delegates next Wednesday.
It is as dishonest as its predecessors, and if she wants to see the House go up for grabs against her dishonesty (again), she is doing a great job of it.
The delegates and members have made clear that they no longer want a "summary" budget that basically says "trust me" on both the revenues and expenditures sides.
On the revenues side, Stewart seems to be neglecting a full explanation of how much the "pass through" (that's actually a plural) will cost the members, and seem to be trying to claim that the union dues for members will remain the same next year. Everyone knows that she will go to the July AFT convention and vote in favor of the pass through, which will result in more union dues for all CTU members next year.
On the expenditures side, Stewart is still aggregating the main costs of the professional staff at the CTU offices. She has two lines, one for "field reps" and one for "coordinators." (Interestingly, there are now only 14 field reps -- who supposedly actually service members' needs and the contract -- but an all time high of ten "coordinators" -- basically, patronage appointees without the protection of the union contract CTU has with the Teamsters, who represent the field reps).
As to the benefits, it's even worse. There is no itemization of the actual total benefits per employee. How much is Marilyn Stewart's expense account? How much does she receive for the car allowance? How much for cell phone?
Most importantly, is CTU now paying double "pension" for its on leave teacher employees (as it did under Tom Reece, and stopped under Debbie Lynch). If, as suspected, Stewart is now paying into the CTPF for "teachers on leave" at CTU and giving every staff employee an annuity, this is a new and major expense.
Finally, there is some dissembling about the salary base for CTU employees. Stewart's budget claims that CTU employees have their salaries set at the basis of an "8 hour day, 52-week year". But there is no mention of what Lane these people are on, or which Step. If, as I suspect, every employee of CTU is being paid at the highest Lane (PhD, EDD) and top step, then this "teacher equivalent" pay schedule is a fundamental lie, because there is not one classroom teacher working for CPS who is being paid as much as these "teachers on leave."
Additionally, Stewart seems to be leaving out all of the vacation and other benefit days she has provided to her inner circle. If, as has been reported, each CTU worker now gets and extra week's "vacation" (supposedly for Christmas) which can be cashed in at full value, this is a huge perk that is not itemized.
Finally, there is the cost of professional and other services. The rumors are huge that since Stewart fired the lawyers who were working at the union (under Debbie Lynch) there has been a huge increase in the coast of legal work. Where are the numbers, and what is CTU paying for? It will be very helpful for the members to know whether they have really been paying $1 million or more per year for lawyers. And which lawyers, for what work.
Only by providing the union's due paying members with the detail that comes naturally in the LM2 can these problems be solved.
It is as dishonest as its predecessors, and if she wants to see the House go up for grabs against her dishonesty (again), she is doing a great job of it.
The delegates and members have made clear that they no longer want a "summary" budget that basically says "trust me" on both the revenues and expenditures sides.
On the revenues side, Stewart seems to be neglecting a full explanation of how much the "pass through" (that's actually a plural) will cost the members, and seem to be trying to claim that the union dues for members will remain the same next year. Everyone knows that she will go to the July AFT convention and vote in favor of the pass through, which will result in more union dues for all CTU members next year.
On the expenditures side, Stewart is still aggregating the main costs of the professional staff at the CTU offices. She has two lines, one for "field reps" and one for "coordinators." (Interestingly, there are now only 14 field reps -- who supposedly actually service members' needs and the contract -- but an all time high of ten "coordinators" -- basically, patronage appointees without the protection of the union contract CTU has with the Teamsters, who represent the field reps).
As to the benefits, it's even worse. There is no itemization of the actual total benefits per employee. How much is Marilyn Stewart's expense account? How much does she receive for the car allowance? How much for cell phone?
Most importantly, is CTU now paying double "pension" for its on leave teacher employees (as it did under Tom Reece, and stopped under Debbie Lynch). If, as suspected, Stewart is now paying into the CTPF for "teachers on leave" at CTU and giving every staff employee an annuity, this is a new and major expense.
Finally, there is some dissembling about the salary base for CTU employees. Stewart's budget claims that CTU employees have their salaries set at the basis of an "8 hour day, 52-week year". But there is no mention of what Lane these people are on, or which Step. If, as I suspect, every employee of CTU is being paid at the highest Lane (PhD, EDD) and top step, then this "teacher equivalent" pay schedule is a fundamental lie, because there is not one classroom teacher working for CPS who is being paid as much as these "teachers on leave."
Additionally, Stewart seems to be leaving out all of the vacation and other benefit days she has provided to her inner circle. If, as has been reported, each CTU worker now gets and extra week's "vacation" (supposedly for Christmas) which can be cashed in at full value, this is a huge perk that is not itemized.
Finally, there is the cost of professional and other services. The rumors are huge that since Stewart fired the lawyers who were working at the union (under Debbie Lynch) there has been a huge increase in the coast of legal work. Where are the numbers, and what is CTU paying for? It will be very helpful for the members to know whether they have really been paying $1 million or more per year for lawyers. And which lawyers, for what work.
Only by providing the union's due paying members with the detail that comes naturally in the LM2 can these problems be solved.
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 7:50 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Good Morning John:
Would you be so kind and show your honesty ,answer questions during the meeting @Parthenon on May 1?
It could be very interesting to see you there .You would have a chance to clarify your position and eliminate the amount of anger you are causing at the present time.
Remember All are invited.
Would you be so kind and show your honesty ,answer questions during the meeting @Parthenon on May 1?
It could be very interesting to see you there .You would have a chance to clarify your position and eliminate the amount of anger you are causing at the present time.
Remember All are invited.
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 8:33 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
How are you a valid CTU member?
so you are saying you have been a CPS teacher or PSRP?
just want to check the facts.
From what I have gathered---
In order to be a valid member, via the constitution, you have to be an active part of a CPS bargaining unit. That means being actively employed by the CPS or on a special leave. That eliminates all the people who are paying dues and are not on leave. Those retirees who are "consultants" should only be "retiree members".
Just because they are being allowed to pay the money to the CTU does not make you a legitimate member... all spelled out in the constitution.
We do still work under the union constitution.
I think?
so you are saying you have been a CPS teacher or PSRP?
just want to check the facts.
From what I have gathered---
In order to be a valid member, via the constitution, you have to be an active part of a CPS bargaining unit. That means being actively employed by the CPS or on a special leave. That eliminates all the people who are paying dues and are not on leave. Those retirees who are "consultants" should only be "retiree members".
Just because they are being allowed to pay the money to the CTU does not make you a legitimate member... all spelled out in the constitution.
We do still work under the union constitution.
I think?
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 8:37 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Everybody listen up, Board Action passed March 26, 2008, 08-0326-P01- ADOPT A CHARTER SCHOOL CAPITAL AND FACILITY BUDGET POLICY- " The Chicago Board of Education currently has granted or approved charters to thirty Charter Schools. Thirteen Charter Schools have legal capacity to operate on multiple campuses. As of the date of this policy, ten Charter Schools have opened more than one campus. Charter Schools opened after April 16, 2003 are authorized to operate only on one campus." The Illinois Senate has passed two bills that would give Chicago more charters- in one case, by shifting slots to the city from the suburbs and downstate Illinois. Under the bill sponsored by state Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywwod), five new slots would be shifted to Chicago, giving the city 35 charters- more than half the statewide cap of 60. The new charters would be solely for truants and dropouts; each charter would be allowed up to 25 campuses. A more ambitious bill, sponsored by state Sen, Iris Martinez (D-Chicago), would raise the state's charter cap to 100 and abolish the geographical restrictions on charter location. Both bills passed in the Senate on April 17 and now awaiting a vote in the House. Most Chicago lawmakers favored both measures, meaning these bills will pass the House. FYI, Youth Connection Charter School operates 24 sites throughout Chicago!!!
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 9:17 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Why are we learning about this on the blog?
Why is our chief of staff or press secretary not putting out this information to the membership?
I appreciate you working on clearing up some facts that concern you personally and the union, some of which I still disagree on, but where the heck is our union when we are being attacked.
You are suppose to protect us.
Not attack us.
May 1st.
Job action?
Why is our chief of staff or press secretary not putting out this information to the membership?
I appreciate you working on clearing up some facts that concern you personally and the union, some of which I still disagree on, but where the heck is our union when we are being attacked.
You are suppose to protect us.
Not attack us.
May 1st.
Job action?
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:31 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
If you weren't so busy blogging, you would have time to go to the CTU website, www.ctunet.com, where an action link has been posted on the proposed charter increases. CTU is asking you to contact your legislator and express opposition to these proposals. It is a very simple procedure to follow, and if we all did it, it could have some impact. Stop complaining and take action!
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:53 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
I took the legislative action already -- only after a friend of mine from Prosser emailed me the link.
NOT THE UNION!
I also posted the links here on the blog.
here it is again.
Charter Expansion Bill
Click here to contact your state senator today and register your opposition to SB 2402.
just go and look thru threads and check the dates i posted the links for action.
STOP ATTACKING THE RANK AND FILE!
ATTACK THOSE THAT HARM THE MEMBERS!
STOP USING MY DUES MONEY TO ATTACK ME!
YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO PROTECT ME!
I do.
Therefore I am.
NOT THE UNION!
I also posted the links here on the blog.
here it is again.
Charter Expansion Bill
Click here to contact your state senator today and register your opposition to SB 2402.
just go and look thru threads and check the dates i posted the links for action.
STOP ATTACKING THE RANK AND FILE!
ATTACK THOSE THAT HARM THE MEMBERS!
STOP USING MY DUES MONEY TO ATTACK ME!
YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO PROTECT ME!
I do.
Therefore I am.
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 12:05 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
to: too buxy blogging
most of the stuff I post is at night when I am at home. otherwise like today i am out of the building.
so again i have to stress that you all should put your energies and resources into fighting for the union not against the union members.
That just reinforces the image of a broken corrupt union.
STOP ASKING QUESTIONS!
WE ARE IN CHARGE!
most of the stuff I post is at night when I am at home. otherwise like today i am out of the building.
so again i have to stress that you all should put your energies and resources into fighting for the union not against the union members.
That just reinforces the image of a broken corrupt union.
STOP ASKING QUESTIONS!
WE ARE IN CHARGE!
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 12:08 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Same old story in now Chicago
Corruption in Local 2 (1978)
Corruption in Local 2 (1978)
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 12:11 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
No one is attacking you. We are only trying to inform you. You throw some mighty sharp daggers yourself to be so sensitive. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion including those who don't agree with you.
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 2:51 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
As you know, we the CTU membership took charge against unfair practices,job protection and school closures.
You ,including the Super Nurse Sanders were able to blog to protect Marilyn against......(?).
We are not paid Union employees we just delegates unable to secure cooperation from the Mart,therefore we wrote grievances,ULP charges and we WON job for our member and public understanding regaring schools closures(check the Hyde Park story and stenograms of schools closure hearings ).
Where have you been?Busy working on the strategies of selling us out?
If you believe that you are able to introduce yourself as a honest unionists please join us at Parthenon on May 1st.
Marilyn is invited too,of course.But,we can not guarantee immunity depend on her behavior...remember Debbie arrest at Plumbers Hall?I love you ALL.
You ,including the Super Nurse Sanders were able to blog to protect Marilyn against......(?).
We are not paid Union employees we just delegates unable to secure cooperation from the Mart,therefore we wrote grievances,ULP charges and we WON job for our member and public understanding regaring schools closures(check the Hyde Park story and stenograms of schools closure hearings ).
Where have you been?Busy working on the strategies of selling us out?
If you believe that you are able to introduce yourself as a honest unionists please join us at Parthenon on May 1st.
Marilyn is invited too,of course.But,we can not guarantee immunity depend on her behavior...remember Debbie arrest at Plumbers Hall?I love you ALL.
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 8:01 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Doesn't everyone blogging here get it! I hope everyone reading at least understands that our opportuntity to stop the proliferation of charters is over. It ended when this contract was agreed upon. Stewart and her leadership team did not want to strike over the issue. They were afraid. Afraid of City Hall. Afraid to discuss it with the delegates. Afraid to use the only tool we had to stop it, period! Does anyone think it was a coincidence that the closing announcements were shortly after the contract was agreed to. The board did it again. They outsmarted our elected CTU leaders, as they did the last time and the time before that. This time the board waited until the contract was settled before the announcement. The last time they screwed the Lynch team by announcing school closures before her re-election. When will there be a union president that can get it done. Our next chance will be 2010. Hopefully by then, there will be over 20,000 members left and privitization will be over because the new president will not be afraid. We needed that person 9 months ago. Next time we need courage to fight the big boys!
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 8:52 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
who dropped the ball on that?
How come we did not send people like in the past?
This was important this year. the charter bill is going to be voted on.
we really showed those law makers they can do whatever they want.
Who was suppose to organize the teachers, get he buses and get the days off from the BoE?
Come on now especially all you CTU office staff know that answer.
It is another one of those coincidences.
Come on now do not be shy.
You can tell us why.
Please before I cry.
I wonder why.
We let it go by.
How come we did not send people like in the past?
This was important this year. the charter bill is going to be voted on.
we really showed those law makers they can do whatever they want.
Who was suppose to organize the teachers, get he buses and get the days off from the BoE?
Come on now especially all you CTU office staff know that answer.
It is another one of those coincidences.
Come on now do not be shy.
You can tell us why.
Please before I cry.
I wonder why.
We let it go by.
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 8:53 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
I agree with you.Courage is the only option.At this time we have to clean up our own place.
I strongly believe that there are more people with the Unionist spirit.
See you at Parthenon on May 1st.Get together.
I strongly believe that there are more people with the Unionist spirit.
See you at Parthenon on May 1st.Get together.
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 8:57 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
You know the answer.Betrayal continues for the sake of a few on the expenses of all.
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 9:02 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
You know the name and you know why..wait for the budget.
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 9:14 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
just want to know who coordinated the teachers, buses and the 1000 paid days off.
wonder wonder
come on staffers you can do it.
I know it is hard on your own.
blogging with your friends in the office is easy.
especially when you get coached.
it not so bad at night.
a little scary
we don't bit
once you start telling the truth
everything will be alright
Helping Helps
who was in charge of that again?
wonder wonder
come on staffers you can do it.
I know it is hard on your own.
blogging with your friends in the office is easy.
especially when you get coached.
it not so bad at night.
a little scary
we don't bit
once you start telling the truth
everything will be alright
Helping Helps
who was in charge of that again?
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 9:22 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Mr Ostenburg you claim that you currently hold a CTU membership card. Where and when did you teach in CPS? Since you have made this claim, I'm sure it is easy enough to verify. You may indeed voluntarily pay the same amount of membership dues that a teacher may be paying, but does that make you a member?
As Dr. Kugler stated earlier,
"In order to be a valid member, via the constitution, you have to be an active part of a CPS bargaining unit. That means being actively employed by the CPS or on a special leave. That eliminates all the people who are paying dues and are not on leave. Those retirees who are "consultants" should only be "retiree members".
Can you vote in a CTU election? If you don't meet any of the above criteria, then Mr. O. you are doing one of two things. According to the Dallas Cheerleader, you are playing "ring around the rosy", or you are a LIAR.
I read your editorial in this month's Chicago Union Teacher. I noticed only photos of Stewart. The paper is getting thinner. Budgetary cuts? Is all this blogging getting under your skin a bit?
As Dr. Kugler stated earlier,
"In order to be a valid member, via the constitution, you have to be an active part of a CPS bargaining unit. That means being actively employed by the CPS or on a special leave. That eliminates all the people who are paying dues and are not on leave. Those retirees who are "consultants" should only be "retiree members".
Can you vote in a CTU election? If you don't meet any of the above criteria, then Mr. O. you are doing one of two things. According to the Dallas Cheerleader, you are playing "ring around the rosy", or you are a LIAR.
I read your editorial in this month's Chicago Union Teacher. I noticed only photos of Stewart. The paper is getting thinner. Budgetary cuts? Is all this blogging getting under your skin a bit?
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 9:44 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Reject the Union budget. We need itemized not "trust me "type.
We do not trust you anyway.Better resign now.
We do not trust you anyway.Better resign now.
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 9:50 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Mr Ostenburg :
I still believe that you are a best example of honest,dedicated working pro bono Union activist.
I hope you are not scared and will be able to answer questions tomorrow,May1 at Parthenon.
See you there.
I still believe that you are a best example of honest,dedicated working pro bono Union activist.
I hope you are not scared and will be able to answer questions tomorrow,May1 at Parthenon.
See you there.
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 10:20 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
What time is the meeting tomorrow?
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 10:21 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
What time is the meeting tomorrow?
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 10:33 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Thanks Tom for mentioning Senn, Orr and Andersen about fighting the bigger fight. I agree we definitely do need to fight back. Are there any schools out there who are still meeting with the board regarding their closing, phase-out or consolidation? The Board is having a parent information meeting tomorrow May 1st at 5:30 at Andersen 1148 N. Honore about our Phase Out. If you would like to learn more and/or support us in our efforts to get questions answered please come. If anyone else is having meetings coming up and would like our support PLEASE POST. Does anyone know of any other school that is or has gone through a phase - out. I would really like to hear from you to find out about what it is like and what is or was done. How did it affect the children? Please come and share your comments at our meeting. We all must support each other. This is going to be going on for the next five years - no one is safe. There is POWER IN NUMBERS and we must stick together and we all need to be informed about this so you are not taken by surprise as Andersen was.
What a better day to show your support for workers than MAY 1st which is MAY DAY and since so many of you are taking it off as a support for solidarity - end your day by coming to our meeting.
Hey Chris send everyone from your meeting at the Parthenon at 4:30 over to Andersen's Meeting when you finish. Looking forward to seeing all our brothers and sisters - 5:30 Andersen 1148 N. Honore. Lets continue getting everyone together in order to stop the destruction of the CTU --- COME TO ANDERSEN
What a better day to show your support for workers than MAY 1st which is MAY DAY and since so many of you are taking it off as a support for solidarity - end your day by coming to our meeting.
Hey Chris send everyone from your meeting at the Parthenon at 4:30 over to Andersen's Meeting when you finish. Looking forward to seeing all our brothers and sisters - 5:30 Andersen 1148 N. Honore. Lets continue getting everyone together in order to stop the destruction of the CTU --- COME TO ANDERSEN
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 10:53 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
We are going to meet at 4:30p.m.on May 1st @Parthenon Restaurant 319 S Halsted.
You are welcome regardless of curent affiliation.
You are welcome regardless of curent affiliation.
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 10:57 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
I will notify our members about the Andersen meeting and ecourage to attend.
Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:38 PM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Thank you and we look foward to other teachers and parents attending to show their support.
With 4-5 more years of school closings ahead of us we all need to work together and educate ourselves about what is taking place.
Attend to share experiences with any of the school closings or phase outs.
Attend to educate yourself on the process.
Attend to ask questions.
Or simply attend to show solidarity and support for children, families, and CPS employees who were surprised with the announcement in late January and still have not been given answers to their questions. Many of the questions you will hear tomorrow evening will be the same questions that have been asked since January and have still not been answered!
See you there 1148 N. Honore at 5:30 tomorrow May 1st.
With 4-5 more years of school closings ahead of us we all need to work together and educate ourselves about what is taking place.
Attend to share experiences with any of the school closings or phase outs.
Attend to educate yourself on the process.
Attend to ask questions.
Or simply attend to show solidarity and support for children, families, and CPS employees who were surprised with the announcement in late January and still have not been given answers to their questions. Many of the questions you will hear tomorrow evening will be the same questions that have been asked since January and have still not been answered!
See you there 1148 N. Honore at 5:30 tomorrow May 1st.
Thu May 1, 2008 at 12:05 AM
CTU President Wants Respect -- From Her Own Treasurer
Chris,
You ,including the Super Nurse Sanders were able to blog to protect Marilyn against......(?).
Considering the fact that I have chosen to maintain the high road and been completely unresponsive to your comments I cannot understand why it is you feel you must make your presence known to me and reference me. Why is it that you consider speaking negatively about a black professional, (who has made it very clear that she wishes to have nothing to do with you) an acceptable practice? Or do you feel this is a means to lift ones self
You ,including the Super Nurse Sanders were able to blog to protect Marilyn against......(?).
Considering the fact that I have chosen to maintain the high road and been completely unresponsive to your comments I cannot understand why it is you feel you must make your presence known to me and reference me. Why is it that you consider speaking negatively about a black professional, (who has made it very clear that she wishes to have nothing to do with you) an acceptable practice? Or do you feel this is a means to lift ones self