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.
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Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from CORE
By: Rebecca Harris / May 22, 2010
Four caucuses challenged incumbent Chicago Teachers Union president
Marilyn Stewart in Friday's election. Stewart won the most votes, but runner-up Karen Lewis from
the Caucus of Rank and File Educators (CORE) will also advance to a
June 11 runoff election.
Four caucuses challenged incumbent Chicago Teachers Union president
Marilyn Stewart in Friday's election. Stewart won the most votes, but
Karen Lewis from the runner-up Caucus of Rank and File Educators (CORE) will also advance
to a June 11 runoff election.
“It was absolutely an emotional vote,” Stewart said this morning. “Our members are afraid for their jobs, and they are threatened with increased class sizes.”
Perhaps for those reasons, election results favored the groups that took the strongest positions against budget cuts and Chicago Public Schools policies – and against Stewart herself, who opponents accused of not taking a tough enough stance.
“Sixty-five percent of the electorate said no to the incumbent,” CORE presidential candidate Karen Lewis said after the preliminary results were posted. “It's pretty clear that this is a game-changing kind of moment.”
Her caucus is best known for protests and legal complaints against Renaissance 2010, school closings, and turnarounds. Third-place finisher Deborah Lynch of ProActive Chicago Teachers and School Employees (PACT), a former CTU president and longtime Stewart rival, also used harsh rhetoric. In the weeks before the election, she called schools CEO Ron Huberman's administration a “reign of terror.”
The one caucus willing to renegotiate teachers' raises – School Employees Alliance, which pledged to build unity – finished last.
“We could beat the board... without the aggressive militancy, the marches,” says SEA presidential candidate Ted Hajharis. “But it seems the majority of members want that kind of leadership... willing to fight, willing to organize to defend them.”
Stewart says she is confident that her experience will garner votes in the runoff.
“When you are going through the middle of a crisis you do not make any radical changes,” Stewart says. “[People outside the union] are waiting to eat this organization alive, and they will be able to, if they have [leadership] with no experience.”
Results not final
Preliminary election results show Stewart in first place, at 32.3 percent. Her lead over Lewis is 313 votes, less than two percentage points.
The union had planned to post results online around 2 or 3 a.m. Saturday, but the count is still not finished. Ballots from 36 schools – which employ around 1,200 teachers – still have to be counted, union spokeswoman Rosemaria Genova says.
The uncounted votes could change the gap between Lewis and Stewart, but would not be enough to put Lynch in the running. Her caucus, PACT, garnered just 16 percent of the votes.
Weather and traffic prevented couriers for the American Arbitration Association, the group running the election, from picking up all the ballots on Friday, Genova says. In addition, delayed flights from New York City prevented election administrators from arriving on time.
Preliminary results
19,477 votes counted
Marilyn Stewart (United Progressive Caucus): 6,283 (32.3%)
Karen Lewis (Caucus of Rank and File Educators): 5,970 (30.7%)
Deborah Lynch (ProActive Chicago Teachers and School Employees): 3,144 (16.1%)
Linda Porter (Coalition for a Strong Democratic Union): 1,273 (6.5%)
Ted Hajiharis (School Employees Alliance): 1,127 (5.8%)
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
The author missed a very important point about CORE, it is about developing a culture of inclusion, being democratic and transparent. These are all traits that are NOT part of UPC. The union run by UPC is done Chicago Machine Style. It is bad enough that machine politics ruins public education but to have a leader like Marilyn who runs it as if it was her plantation is intolerable.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
every-time stewart talks about experience i think of myself and the thousands of teachers that have lost their jobs to charters, turnaround schools and targeted union busting terminations.
she is correct she is experienced in:
1. Selling out the union membership.
2. Back-room deals
3. Collusion with management to target union members who oppose her leadership
We do not need this type of experience.
Throw Stewart out of Office June 11, 2010
John Kugler
kuglerjohn@comcast.net
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
MEETING NOTICE
Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to the cause. We garnered enough votes to take us to runoff, just falling 1.9 points behind the incumbents. Taking in account all of the other opposition groups, 2/3 of CTU voters said NO MORE business as usual.
Please help us win again on June 11th.
Join is for a Meeting and Celebration.
Open to all those who support CORE in the June 11th Runoff Election
Monday, May 24th 2010 4:00-6:00 PM
Letter Carriers Hall
3850 South Wabash
Food will be provided.
We will be raising funds, so please bring your checkbook.
We all need to work together to take back our union.
Send this notice out to your email lists and post on your websites.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
Crooks or Communists?
I bet there's fewer voters in the runoff than in the general election.
What a choice!
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
I cannot adequately express the depth of heartfelt gratitude I have for everyone that worked so hard to bring CORE this far.
I thank every CTU member that voted for CORE and feel a deep obligation to meet your most positive expectations.
I thank George Schmidt for being there where everyone needed him the most at the most opportune time.
And I am once again awed and inspired by whatever it is (name it as you may), that holds this wonderful Cosmos together and keeps us all from tumbling into chaos and insignificance.
Michael E. Brunson
CORE Candidate for Recording Secretary
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
To What a Choice!
And so what if they were "communists"? You can stay home and let the chips fall where they may. I on the other hand am going to vote for CORE and will be proud to campaign for them.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
Let the red baiting begin, it will also not work. The issues in front of teachers in this election were very clear, the CTU was in the process of being destroyed. The overwhleming majority of CTU members voted against the current leadership because they were convinced the current leadership could not save the oldest teachers union in the United States, and one of the oldest in the world.
The first fight of organized teachers in Chicago was a simple one, they wanted clean water for the children in schools so they would stop getting sick. The union began its great history fighting for children against a Board of Education that wanted to educate the unwashed masses on the cheap.
If the CTU returns to its historical roots of fighting for children and fighting for teachers together it would be a wonderful thing. If the CTU again becomes a leader in progressive unionism that would also be a wonderful thing. If the CTU becomes a leader in opposing corporate education reform that would also be a wonderful thing.
I have tried my best to stay out of this election because I am no longer a CTU member. But a cannot help but say I am so proud of all the groups that ran against the current leadership of the union, because they all shared one great value and that is saving the historic first teachers union in our country. Things are not going to be easy, the road ahead will be difficult. The key to surviving this economic crisis will be unity of purpose and that purpose effectively is educating the children of Chicago and ensuring that teachers are treated fairly and paid for the skills they have.
Rod Estvan
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
so 30.7% of teachers are communists? i do not think so.
must be UPC hater.
you can tell upc they always attack their own membership.
There is only one choice on June 11: change the union for its own survival otherwise we will stay the course of self-destruction.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
Mr. Estvan: I have tried my best to stay out of this election because I am no longer a CTU member.
----
Thank you for your most important contribution to education and thank you for the clarity with which you view the current and historical status of the CTU. But please, you need not remain silent on the election just because you are not a member of our Union.
One of CORE's fundamental tenets is that everyone in and around education - teachers, PSRPs, other school staff, parents, students, community groups, education advocates, other unionists and locals, etc. - should be at the table fighting for our shared interests and the interests of students and families. Though these many natural allies may not agree on every substantive issue, we must stand together and fight together for public education in the most powerful ways we know how. There is real strength in unity. The sleeping giant of the 30,000 members of the CTU is only one piece of the puzzle; this election is about so much more than just one Union.
A major reason I voted for CORE was their willingness and ability to include other voices, issues, and concerns, their openness to thoughtful and honest debate, and their inclusion of a diversity of ideas and perspectives. Partnerships with education stakeholders and a continued open, honest dialogue about the future of public education will be vital to affecting improvements in CPS and the state. Your education knowledge and insight, whether aligned with CORE's strategies and beliefs or not, are valuable to us all and relevant to education, to this Union, and to this election.
We must all stand up and speak out for public education.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
Thanks to everybody for their support. I joined CORE only in October because I could no longer stand on the sidelines and I had to do something to take back this union. I was overjoyed last night to see over 2/3 of the Union felt the same way. I am sure that mudslinging will continue by a few. Some of them will be UPC hacks trying to stir up trouble. Others will simply be fearful that change is coming and change is scary. However, when I see the strength of so many people at so many schools saying enough is enough, I feel beyond confident that we are moving in the right direction. Let's make the May 25th rally the beginning of a new era for the Chicago Teacher's Union and the Chicago Public Schools. The sleeping giant has been awakened and you can believe that Ron Huberman is not liking this one bit as he holds up in his newly purchased mansion and looks out at so many rising up for our rights, our dignity, and our students.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
CORE heads to run-off with Stewart.
CSDU endorses CORE and asks supporters to vote for change in leadership:
http://www.thecsdu.org
Latest CSDU Newsbriefs
CSDU Congratulates and Endorses CORE
The CSDU would like to thank the members for their support during this campaign. Although we didn’t capture enough votes to participate in the run-off, we support the outcome. We endorse the CORE slate and ask the members to vote for CORE in the run-off on June 11th. Our primary objective was to replace the Stewart administration with new CTU leadership and voting for the CORE team will accomplish that goal.
CTU Election Results
UPC 6283
CORE 5970
PACT 3144
CSDU 1273
SEA 1127
We understand that the Triple AAA is arranging for the remaining ballots to be picked up and counted. Please refer the the CTU website for further details.
There will be no run-off in the AFT Convention Delegates Election, which is covered by the Landrum-Griffin Act. In that election the delegates who received the most votes on May 21st are the winners.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
I think that it is important in a democratic society that people are allowed to speak their mind and run for office to make changes that they believe in. I am proud of our union and appreciate the many talents of the members that ran on different slates in this election. I for one, an open to suggestions on how to make our union the best it can be and encourage those to meet with the current leadership to help us keep what is working and change what needs to be changed for the good of all of us. We are a union and all of the different groups/caucuses are not the enemy. We need to combine and become stronger. We are Local 1 and need to lead the country. Not implode amongst ourselves. CORE has many good ideas and I applaud their efforts but they don't have the experience. This is not the time to "learn on the job." I encourage all members to meet with the current administration and help us to strengthen our leadership.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
I think that it is important in a democratic society that people are allowed to speak their mind and run for office to make changes that they believe in. I am proud of our union and appreciate the many talents of the members that ran on different slates in this election. I for one, an open to suggestions on how to make our union the best it can be and encourage those to meet with the current leadership to help us keep what is working and change what needs to be changed for the good of all of us. We are a union and all of the different groups/caucuses are not the enemy. We need to combine and become stronger. We are Local 1 and need to lead the country. Not implode amongst ourselves. CORE has many good ideas and I applaud their efforts but they don't have the experience. This is not the time to "learn on the job." I encourage all members to meet with the current administration and help us to strengthen our leadership.
Meeting the UPC
We'd love to meet with union leadership, but where?
At union meetings they turn off the mics
At campaign stops they blame the teachers and yell at us.
On first class they report us.
We make suggestions and you make allegations is not a dialogue. Maybe if some of the union leadership had been classro teachers, they'd get it. Barely voted CORE over PACT, but now I'm 100% behind CORE. If you educate yourself you cannot vote UPC.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
To Linda G:
Why do you think so many people did not vote for UPC?
I suspect that your picture is on the lastest mailing that I recieved (and threw in the trash!). If it is you, your pic is next to someone that told me "You should be working" when I questioned why the union leadership reported people to the Law Department regarding posting on First Class.
What Linda, afraid your friends are not going to get anymore perks? Afraid that you won't be able to go to Seattle for the AFT Convention? Afraid that UPC is being exposed for the liars and cheats that they are? Afraid that teachers are angry? Or maybe you enjoy passing out literature full of lies?
You must enjoy standing up to speak at the mics and take up time when people have real questions. You must like always agreeing with Stewart and preventing democracy at the HOD. You enjoy chatting with the thousands of teachers that have lost their jobs under Stewart? You vote for UPC, have fun!
GO CORE!
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
Stewart is an idiot. Core is filled with hacks. The only person who could stand up and be coherent was Lynch. Go figure.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
Anon, I understand your frustration. I supported PACT. I was hoping that PACT would win. I worked as hard as I could. But PACT is not in the runoff, it is CORE and UPC. I am not going to miss this vote. I need to support the overthrow of the Daley flunky that has take over the CTU.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
Sam, anon,
Let's leave the personal attacks and petty drama out of it, including the attempt to ascribe motivations to the actions of others. There are many things about which reasonable people may disagree based on their own personal, political, and professional perspectives. So, let's discuss those.
When we call the UPC liars we malign even those honest members of the group who have integrity. A more effective criticism shows that the UPC has blatantly lied: they literally fabricated an endorsement of their caucus by Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Cheats? Same thing - don't insult everyone. The current leadership has cheated. They campagined in the schools - mine included, I was a first hand witness - on the Union's dime and under the authority of the CTU. That is flat out cheating. Or how about capitulation to the board? 70+ schools closed, nearly 100 non-Union schools opened with nary a peep from the CTU leadership, at least until CORE became involved in building coalitions in opposition to Ren2010. Isolationism? The CTU has failed to partner with natural allies in the fight to defend and improve public education. Total lack of solidarity? The Union demanded that CPS prevent its own Union members from holding election meeting in the schools, from engaging in legitimate Union activity, from informing the membership through the distribution of campaign materials. The Union also attempted to have its own members disciplined and/or suspended for creating a dialogue about Union issues. (See the CPS defense and resulting TRO to Lynch's legal complaint for direct evidence.) A lack of transparency? No officer contracts available, only the most vague and generalized budget information released, unverifiable votes in the House. Fiscal irresponsibility? $8 million unaccounted for after the first 4 years in office resulting in the necessity of a $3 million loan and outside management of CTU finances by the AFT/IFT. The list goes on and on and on, but let's leave the personal attacks off the table.
And, actually, it is more important to focus on CORE's successes and positive agenda than attacking the UPC. Though this post may seem overly negative, I just wanted to illustrate that we really can disagree without insulting one another. I'll post more on CORE's solution based approach later.
Now, anon - what exactly makes CORE an organization full of hacks?
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
About 30% of members voted for UPC. That means about 70% are unhappy with the current administration.
LET'S UNITE...GO CORE!
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
DEEP TUNNEL. (Guns up butts and all...) Glad for all who voted. (LINDA) the other caucases are uniting with CORE. Together- is more experience than Stewart can ever offer. By being united, Daley is probably thinking, "where else can I put Ron?"
It is a new and beautiful day for not just our teachers, but for Chicago's children.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
what experience does stewart have?
Pam M. gone
two officers gone
two new officer candidates have no experience as elected officials. Keith could not even get tenured once
AFT controls CTU finances
IFT runs the lobbying for CTU
CTU could not stop charter legislation nor pension theft.
CTU helps fire tenured teachers (Fresh Start)
CTU implements merit pay (TAP)
CTU officials rat out their own union members
So I ask what experience does UPC have?
Answ: Sellout Experience
PS stewart is estimated to get 200k/yr when she leaves July 1, because all of her three jobs (CTU, IFT, AFT) were pensionable.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
Haven't heard a peep from Danny? Guess he's supporting Marilyn since he hates CORE so much.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
I'll be the first to admit Danny could be infuriating as all get out. When he posts here and on other forums, I see a lot of great ideas and I agree with him on a lot of things. I just had issues with him over the whole PACT and CORE thing. I really think that he does make sense on a lot of topics and the board is a little emptier without him.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
Marilyn Stewart is in the pockets of city hall - vote her out! In fact, I do not think any CTU President should serve more than two consecutive terms because eventually they will become corrupt.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
"Where's Danny" should be REALLY looking for him instead gloating.
Core is acting as if they have already won the election. Let's tone it down and give some credit to the other anti-marilyn caucuses AND their supporters. This is still a terribly divided union. I'm not a marilyn fan, but I'm sure not gung-ho core yet either. How is core going to reach out to all of us anti-UPC, but non-core voters?At this point, I'm only begrudgingly for core, so spare me the gloating.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
I agree the "Where's Danny?" comment was in poor taste, but please don't allow a misguided comment like that to color your opinion of CORE as an organization. That's not fair, either. I'm confident Danny is already busy working on how to defeat the incumbents and how to strengthen and improve our Union.
DO IT NOW!
LET STEWART STAY IN AND YOU WILL GET WHAT YOU ASK FOR! 86 HER NOW!
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
We have about 25 people from my school coming tomorrow. I am being told that CORE will be advertising there. Is this a good time to do such a thing? Is this a rally where all union members should be unified? I don't mind advertising, but should it be done before or after the rally? Will this turn people off? I am voting for CORE, but I am a little concerned how UPC is going to spin this. I am taking tape if anyone wants to cover a caucus name on a sign. I intend to do so on mine.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
My principal released the organization sheet today, BUT with no names, saying she was not allowed to release names until June 1. Could it be possible that Daley/Huberman will, last minute, reduce the 35 in class size to make Stewart look good brfore the 6/11 runoff election? Let's wait and see.
Union election heads to runoff; Stewart to face challenger from
Throw the UPC out and save the CTU!
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