Even as CPS opens more new schools, children with special needs have a tougher time finding options. Placements in private therapeutic schools are scarce, and some charters are reluctant to enroll them.
Recent Notebook Entries
Right Now On Notebook
By:
By:
By:
By:
Other Blogs
catalyst-chicago.org feeds
Current Issue
Union organizes teachers at 3 charter schools
By: John Myers / April 03, 2009
Teachers have signed union cards at three Chicago International Charter Schools run by Civitas Schools, a Chicago-based education management group.
About three-quarters of the 115 teachers at the Chicago International Northtown Academy, Wrightwood and Ralph Ellison campuses have filed for representation rights with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board.
State law requires a simple majority for the establishment of a union, and the teachers will seek immediate recognition and bargaining rights under the Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Administrators (Chicago ACTS) flag.
Teachers have signed union cards at three Chicago International Charter Schools run by Civitas Schools, a Chicago-based education management group.
About three-quarters of the 115 teachers at the Chicago International Northtown Academy, Wrightwood and Ralph Ellison campuses have filed for representation rights with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board.
State law requires a simple majority for the establishment of a union, and the teachers will seek immediate recognition and bargaining rights under the Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Administrators (Chicago ACTS) flag.
About 1,500 students, collectively, are enrolled at schools run by Civitas.
Chicago ACTS joins a nationwide network of some 70 charter schools affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers.
The Illinois Federation of Teachers aided in organizing charter schools here, but “the teachers did the bulk of the work themselves,” says IFT spokesperson Gail Purkey. “We provided technical assistance and legal advice.”
Teachers were particularly concerned with high teacher turnover at the schools, says Purkey. Working hours and pay—perennial union issues—will also be key in future negotiations. But Purkey says teachers, more than anything, want a formal way to influence how schools are managed, from professional development decisions to curricular choices.
The labor board will likely issue a decision in about 30 days, Purkey predicts. Teachers would expect to start contract talks immediately afterward.
Civitas administrators released a written statement acknowledging the development, noting that they are working with their lawyers to review the petition to the labor board.
Union organizes teachers at 3 charter schools
FINALLY!!!! This is a great move forward for charter staff. We are exploited by working 12 hour days sometimes 6 days a week causing high turnover which ultimately hurts the student's education. It's ridiculous that every year students are subjected to inconsistency and instability. Great work Civitas staff!!! You have paved the way for the rest of us.
Union organizes teachers at 3 charter schools
IDOL and ISBE charter laws are on the side of teachers, too. This will also be a great opportunity for teachers to earn tenure and reduce teacher turnover.
Yeah!
Here Here!
Union organizes teachers at 3 charter schools
Excellent article-we need to be concerned with teacher burnout.
Union organizes teachers at 3 charter schools
I'm very excited the charter school teachers finally spoke out at all 3 campuses. CICS Wrightwwod Campus has had a high teacher turnover rate since the school opened. CICS Wrightwood needs to retain excellent teachers.
Union organizes teachers at 3 charter schools
Why does the new CEO have the unionization parent announcement as the smallest link,listed at the very bottom of each school's web page- like it's fine print?
Union organizes teachers at 3 charter schools
Now some those teachers will exploit the system at schools...
The students are those who will lose in that battle just to secure the spots of some incompetent teachers....
The successful teachers do not have that problem, charter schools are trying to keep them, with their limited budget...
That's unfortunate...
Teacher unions should be very happy, because they found the easiest way to close the charter schools... so that they can continue with their failing system...
Union organizes teachers at 3 charter schools
Pretty bad try at union bashing. Especially, if you know that the one who sets educational policy is the CEO and the Daley patronage cronies. Not much you can do when Daley runs the school with inept help. Organizing schools with the old "factory" model of schooling is criminal. The problem is hiring folks who have no requisites to run a school district. Daley knows that but chose to bring the Walmartization of schooling to Chicago.
Union organizes teachers at 3 charter schools
I don't think the teachers caused the failing schools, and putting in place a union that will help teachers not be taken advantage of is also not the cause of the failing schools. Teachers do not exploit the system, just because we are a public employee, you cannot blame everything on us. Would you want your physician not to be taken serious by the hospital she works for? Think about it!!!
Add your comment