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CTU: Poll shows members unhappy with contract proposal
By: Sarah Karp / May 11, 2012
In the ongoing battle between the Chicago Teachers Union and CPS over a new contract, CTU announced Friday that the first large-scale poll of its members found that more than 90 percent think the current proposal will "lower the quality of education in the city."
But CPS spokeswoman Becky Carroll fired back, accusing the CTU of putting out misleading information about the details of the proposal in an attempt to fire up the base. “If I were a CTU member, I would be disappointed,” she said.
The CTU also announced that it is planning a massive rally at 4:30 p.m. on May 23 at the Auditorium Theater. Once gathered, the group plans to march to district headquarters. The Board of Education holds its monthly meeting on May 23.
CTU delegates distributed the poll to members on Thursday. CTU Vice President Jesse Sharkey said the union would not reveal how many of the 25,000 members took the poll, or release specific results for each of the four questions asked. He said the purpose of the poll was to “get a temperature” of how members feel and to see how the logistics of such a poll would work.
The poll did not ask the members whether they would vote to authorize a strike, though one of the questions was whether the union should reject the board proposal. After negotiations broke down, the CTU asked to call a fact-finding panel, which is now in the process of meeting. The fact-finding panel is one of the final steps of a lengthy, legally required pre-strike process set out in Illinois law. The fact-finding panel's report is scheduled to be completed on July 16.
Sharkey admits that the poll was designed to elicit specific “yes, no” answers to questions. He said the strongest reaction came to the question of whether members think the board’s proposal would harm students and lower the quality of education in schools.
Another question asked whether members think that CEO Jean-Claude Brizard should resign. Carroll called that question “unfortunate.”
Sharkey said the union is not releasing the poll results for the Brizard question. With the recent resignation announcement of the chief education officer, he said there’s already too much instability in the district.
Along with taking the poll, the union used the opportunity to present its summary of the board’s proposal. Carroll said many of the characterizations were inaccurate. On Thursday, CPS posted to its website its own fact sheet.
One example is that the union said CPS is offering a “one-time 2 percent raise with lanes and steps frozen; nothing in years 2, 3, 4 and 5 unless we agree to test-based merit pay and the elimination of lanes and steps.”
CPS negotiators have not included any proposal about a test-based merit pay system, Carroll said. Instead, the proposal is to have CPS and CTU come together next year to create a mutually agreed-upon compensation plan, she said.
Brizard has talked about a “differentiated compensation system” that would look at a number of factors, including student growth measures, she said.
Union delegates say they are having no problem convincing members that the board’s proposal is bad for them. Sue Garza, a union delegate at Addams Elementary School, said all 58 members at her school came to a meeting Thursday morning and they unanimously said CTU should reject the board’s proposal.
“We just want our job to be validated,” she said. “We feel disrespected.”
The telephone polling being done
must be coming from CPS. They are asking questions about things that are in negotiations, including salary, class size, etc. Left a feeling that these questions can not be sufficiently answered with just a yes and no. And, of course, they will announce the results of the survey that meets their needs.
It seems to me that CPS is mad that CTU is beating them at their own game.
Becky Carroll is good!
Totally wrong, of course, but good. People outside of education, those unable to critically analyze her statements, or education reporters (sorry Ms. Karp), might not immediately recognize her intentional deceit.
CTU:
The Board has proposed "test-based merit pay and the elimination of lanes and steps".
Carroll/CPS:
Calls this characterization misleading.
Claims Brizard has talked about a “differentiated compensation system” that would look at a number of factors, including student growth measures.
(1) Basing pay on inaccurate "student growth measures" and mysterious "other factors" is the objection. It doesn't matter if it's called "merit pay" or "differentiated compensation". Those two terms functionally mean the same thing.
(2) "Student growth measures" is a reference to value added modeling - a large part of the new CPS plan to evaluate teachers based on woefully unreliable high stakes test scores.
(3) The CPS economic proposal clearly outlines the elimination of steps and lanes. Carroll obviously has not actually read the contract proposal. Bonus question: in what other profession are experience, training, and education - i.e., steps and lanes - ignored or even viewed as a negative like they are in CPS?
That should clear things up. It's really quite simple.
Disappointed?
Does Ms. Carroll actually think the CTU has any interest in pleasing a CPS spokesperson? Of course she's disappointed the Union is fighting back against the Board's destructive education policies and outrageous bargaining demands.
It's about time we stood up to the unproven and harmful education "reform" agenda in Chicago. These same reformers, by the way, represent the status quo. They have been running CPS ragged for 17 years now.
It is refreshing to finally see CPS on the defensive after exhibiting unchallenged rank incompetence (however well intentioned) over the last two decades.
Ms. Carroll? Were you not educated by CTU teachers at Lane?
And now look at you...Shame on you--you should at least read before you spin.
CPS Communications Department
Carroll's condescending remarks will only serve to further galvanize teachers. She's doing the union a favor every time she opens her mouth. I think her acrimonious comments are pretty transparent whether you are an educator or not.
you say,"To-ma-to," and I say, "To-mah-to."
I could say "force," and you could say, "Come if you want, but if you don't, it'll be noticed."
You say, "Differentiated pay scale," and I'll say, "We tried that decades ago and it's based on a perceived value of work, meaning a person who merits such a pay for 'producing' something, so it pits workers against each other for the same job of educating children we have in common."
He said, "As part of its effort to modernize the labor agreement, CPS has repeatedly invited the CTU to identify important contract provisions that may not yet be included in the framework. CTU has not identified any such provisions." Say, WHATTT? THAT stretches credulity--let's call the whole thing...
Things that should never happen
I don't suppose Catalyst would comment about how it came to have a photocopy of the contract poll? This is an internal document that should never have been distributed outside the membership.
Granted, there's really no way to keep the document secure--what with 25 thousand copies sent to the members--but no one should have made a photocopy to send to the Press.
Union business is for Union members only.
When will principals vote no confidence on CEO Brizard?
bet it would be a high majority voting for it. .
majority?
Per SB7 the minority votes rules!!! Unless it's less than 25%
Principals Rejection of Brizard
Principals already said their peace on Brizard - 187 are retiring - so far!
Principals told me Brizard told them to keep their mouth shut about the longer day! That's leadership!
Becky Carroll go sit down!!
I want to personally thank CPS Spokeswoman Becky Carroll for your response to the CTU straw poll. Your comments have definitely fueled the fire under my feet. Your response sounds bitter, kinda like a woman scorned. It lacked any professional insight but merely accused the CTU for what CPS has been doing for 12 months..........regurgitating pure propaganda. Your boss is losing this battle and solidiers like you should not be on the front line. You're going to get wounded and probably fired.
the poll
I got the poll from Becky Carroll, but Jesse Sharkey knew she was distributing it and told me I could probably get it from her.
CPS Spokeswoman appears to be splitting hairs
Hopefully Catalyst reporters and other independent reviewers will ask CPS PRECISELY what their bargaining position is. As a Chicago Public School teacher and CTU member, my understanding is teachers are being asked to work a longer school day for a 2% raise for one year, under a five year contract. CPS is also requiring some form of merit based pay structure for the successive 4 years. Merit pay would be based, in part, on student test scores. If this is incorrect, let Ms. Carroll spell out very specifically what CPS is proposing. The current disrespect coming out of CPS is destroying employee morale and is only ramping up the desire of members to strike as soon as possible. SB 7 has delayed the ability to strike, to be sure, but CPS spokespeople and administrators, as well as the Mayor, seem hellbent on ensuring that there is a walkout in the Fall. IMHO the rhetoric coming out of City Hall, CPS leadership and their spokespeople would best serve the larger community by being toned down. I hope Ms. Karp and others ask CPS spokespeople directly if the intent of the Board of Education and others is to provoke hostility in the rank and file. It sure seems that way.
I'd spit in their eye!
I'd spit in there eye!
Before I'd vote for anything but the strike!
God Damit!
(Bob Healey, Feb. 2, 1980)
http://youtu.be/YYE7Un7C1f0
"excellent" rated teachers please read
That video makes me laugh and smile every time!
Teachers are a little placid and nonconfrontational by nature. I think we forget that we need a tough guy (or gal) who sticks up for us! We need a bully to fight the bully! I like Karen Lewis' style....she aint beautiful, but she is bold!! I have no affiliation with her other than I am a CTU memeber. I kinda liked Marylin Stweart too! We need tough!
Like I said before I just hope the teachers who were given their "excellent" ratings aren't resting on their laurels. I think making the new REACH evaluation only for Satisfactory Tenured teachers and non tenured teachers (in its first year roll out) is just a way to Divide and conquer. I was given an excellent rating, but I know fellow teachers, who work just as hard as I do, put on the "shameful " satisfactory unsatisfactory list. Next year, and correct if I am wrong, only the Unsatisfactory, Satisfactory, and unrated new teachers will be evaluated under the new REACH system. This is just a new way to divide and conquer.
I just hope. ALL teachers would show solidarity in this issue. So many teachers are pushed out for their "unsatisfactory" work, while political hacks and pets get their superiors. Obviously most teachers deserve the ratings they get....but don't forget the little guy/gal who gets pushed around in a convoluted evaluation process. They need you too. Remember your principal may be replaced at anytime and your evaluation may suffer. Please Karen make CPS do an ALL or nothing evaluation Process!!
If CPS thinks their old evaluation is flawed...how can they do any real comparison if they don’t EVALUATE all teachers in the same way. How can they study the new systems effectiveness?
It's all a divide and conquer strategy! I also think if ALL teachers need to be evaluated with the new system it will literally FRY the CPS admin at all levels and they may want to rethink it. Has anyone seen the standard deviation chart on the REACH power point. It is scary stuff!! Please Excellent and Superior teachers we are all in this together!! Please come to union meetings....don't get lulled into submission. I am not going to quote the "then they came for me story" because it isn’t quite the same. However, don't think that your maternity leaves and PB days were won by thinking you are above all of this! None of us are immune to a dictated curriculum. Even if your principal is AWESOME they can replace him...or crush his or her spirit into giving you a charlotte Danielson "below" rating......then the next layoff your tenure will mean nothing. They have literally gotten around tenure! It means very little now. DONT LET YOUR FELLOW TEACHERS FALL...They may work just as hard as you do! They just may be a little different....and CPS doesn’t want teachers. ....it wants "Urban Education" robots making 40k a year witih 50k in educaiton loans.
And suburban teachers…were is the solidarity? How did they allow CPS teachers to get this 75% strike vote? Where is the solidarity????? Chicago Police and Firemen? Do you have this clause? Does any union have this “neutering” clause? So many people talk about Scott Walker….we have our own in this city…Rahm Emanuel. All this done by a person whose form boss (the president) is getting Illinois Teacher’s endorsement? Obama?? every teacher needs to come to the union meetings..to let the principal at the local level we stand united. we all need to go may 23 to show we are united tooo! We have differences....but this new ADMIN is going to either fire you or take your imagiination and caring away in the name of RACE TO THE TOP
I’m going to watch that video one more time “I’ll spit in their eye”
To Northside Teacher
As a displaced teacher who paid union dues for over twenty years, after I got displaced I was kicked out of the union. I had a case and in the middle of my arbitration the CTU pulled out because I was no,longer a member. As I read the post above, I get nauseating feeling because I know how the CTU has let hundreds and possibly thousands of teachers down.
I have also read the Catalyst post and saw how vicious the union people attack anyone with a dissenting voice. I personally think that if Karen Lewis was not president so many teachers would have not been fired. This never happened with any other president.
I have also heard and read about the bill called Senate Bill 7 and don't understand why the union leaders allowed this bill to pass and did not fight for the members then. To me it looks like once again the CTU needs the teachers to "save the union" because it just looks like the union is busted at this point and has no power.
I wish Karen Lewis was as tough as you think but it looks like she was quite a wimp in Springfield when she gave away teacher seniority. Now she wants teachers to go out on a limb and go on strike to save the union when many will lose their jobs. If teachers are stupid enough to follow someone who was a chicken in Springfield caused all this mess to happen, then maybe Rahm Emmanuel should get rid of them and start from scratch.
Personally I think if Marilyn Stewart was president, many teachers would be working. At least she had enough sense to negotiate with CPS to save teachers. Karen is a big big problem and teachers will always be at war as long as she is the president.
I apologize!
In no way am I trying to excuse their actions. I like their fire, but I do hold Karen responsible for SB7 ..I am not gushing over hear as much as I detest Rahm...really my theme is exactly what you are talking about. People feeling so SAFE in their jobs that they forget the displaced and discarded! That was my real point. Makes me sick when I see teachers, "the chosen", acting is if their jobs and benefits are their destiney. I have been to many a meeting seeing teachers looking gaga at their principals......but I know how you feel...I think it is sick that the union cut you off! Please be assured ....I know what it feels like to have a "union" and felow teachers turn their back on you when the chips are down. Teachers in my own school have "told on displaced subs" because they made the horrible act of surfing the internet! Makes me sick. I always try to treat them with respect...because no one knows where they will end up...and it's the human thing to do!!!
Sorry to throw cold water on
Sorry to throw cold water on this drama, but teachers in the displaced pool are still Union members.
It is highly unlikely that a displaced teacher was "cut off" as claimed. There are surely other circumstances that are left out of this narrative.
I agree and disagree with Northside Teacher. SB7 frustrates me. Ok, well, it pisses me off. But I do believe that it would have been far, far worse without the unions involved. I actually think we escaped a Wisconsin type scenario by the skin of our teeth. It also doesn't help that the IEA sold us out, either.
I also agree that teachers need to stick together in times like these. There are ways to deal with teachers who are displaced with respect and support.
I can't imagine losing my job under the scenario of school closure or turnaround. Displaced teachers really get jerked around during their displacement. Unfortunately, I know that as a CPS teacher in a neighborhood school, even though I'm a very good teacher in a very good school, I am basically guaranteed to be displaced unless I leave CPS or the education profession altogether.
Which Side Are You On?
which side are you on?
[VIDEO] http://youtu.be/9SB0fc9CobQ
Come all you good workers
Good news to you I'll tell
Of how the good old union
Has come in here to dwell
Which side are you on, boys?
Which side are you on?
My daddy was a miner
He's now in the air and sun
He'll be with you fellow workers
Until the battle's won
Which side are you on, boys?
Which side are you on?
They say in Harlan County
There are no neutrals there
You'll either be a union man
Or a thug for J.H. Claire
Which side are you on, boys?
Which side are you on?
Workers, can you stand it?
Oh, tell me how you can
Will you be a lousy scab
Or will you be a man?
Which side are you on, boys?
Which side are you on?
Don't scab for the bosses
Don't listen to their lies
Poor folks ain't got a chance
Unless they organize
Which side are you on, boys?
Which side are you on?
Which Side Are You On?
Only Solution is Solidarity
Teachers were losing their jobs under Marilyn Stewart and the Union was helpless to combat the advantage given to the principal's opinion in the hearings. Unless all teachers stand together and strike, everyone will be vulnerable. If you're a relatively new teacher and think that only veteran teachers are targeted and you're safe, be very careful. The goal is to diminish salary and benefits of all teachers in order to pay for the malfeasance practiced by the politicians with our tax money.
Brizard manupulatives and CPS communications states that
principals expressed excitement about REACH (new teacher evaluation system,) in a recent survey. In the survey, principals were given no choice but to indicate they were excited! Now that’s manipulation! Insult to principals.
Our principal is younger and agrees with the CTU-wish he could have voted.
CTU members are at a crossroads and Rahm has drawn a devil
and the deep blue sea line. CTU has a right to use tactics as offense to the negative tactics he uses--he used the F bomb with Karen, he uses his minions to spin and stretch the truth and treat teachers without respect and blames them for all problems. (He does not listen to parents either, dominated by women.) He settles with fire and police, but continues to pick on a historically female employment class. There is no other paid profession that spends more time with children in great need. He never has. I doubt any in his immediate family has. CTU is the only profession that is fighting for the children; there are many teachers spending more time with Chicago's children than there parents can, well before there was longer school day. Rahm has no gray areas.
Teachers in the Displaced Teacher Pool Are Not Union Members
From what I understand teachers in the 2010 teacher pool,were given the option of being a union member. I was at the Displaced meetings at PUSH when we were given the limited membership option. These teachers have a limited membership and cannot vote. I am not interested in being a union member unless I have full membership. After all I paid $20,000 in dues over the years . The CTU is not being honest with the members and are telling half truths about everything here on Catalyst.
To Displaced Teacher
You are right about the Displaced Teacher Membership. I requested this membership for Displaced Teachers because of my own situation.The CTU added 2010 teachers who can opt to have this limited membership.
Since I was denied the Displaced membership, I formed CAUSE for union and nonunion teachers. If you are Displaced and not a union member like so many that I know. Join CAUSE ! We still support teachers no matter if they are union or non union. We meet every Tuesday at Operation PUSH @ 6:00 p.m.. We are working with teachers who a facing e-3s and charges and teachers who were terminated before 2010 as well. We have an alliance with the South Side NAACP and have attorneys and experienced former union officials who can advise you.
I Forgot To Mention
I forgot to mention that I am the sub-committee Displaced Teacher Chair for the SS NAACP.
CTU members, here are some of the key rights that the CTU gained
as a result of the strikes since 1980. I walked the picket line as a teacher in all of these strikes. 1980: A 10-day strike was waged over a series of payless paydays and threats to increase class size. The strike resulted in the preservation of the CTU contract, class size limits, and payment of delayed salary. 1983: A 15-day strike won a 5% salary increase in addition to 2.5% bonus pay. 1984: A 10-day strike resulted in the elimination of payroll deductions for health care, a 4.5% salary increase, 2.5% bonus pay, Political Action Committee contribution deductions, and a medical plan that-for the first time-offers a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). 1985: A two-day strike gained an increase in major medical coverage, including improved benefits for maternity and paternity leave, a 9% salary increase over 2 years, restoration of holidays that were lost in the strike, and the ability of members to accumulate up to 234 sick days. 1987: A 19-day strike, the longest in CTU history, permitted the lowest achieving schools to have class size in the primary grades reduced by two, provided an increase in major medical coverage, an 8% salary increase over 2 years, and the ability to accumulate 244 sick days. Because SB7 will not allow the CTU to bargain with the Board of Education on certain issues, you must still remember what CTU solidarity can do to affect educators and education.
scott walker?
I still don't understand how democratic senate gave us a raw deal? I think we can all agree that Rahm is closer to Scott Walker than the democrat he pretends to be? I know "they wanted to give us worse" but how do these "democrats claim to be the "lobor pary" anymore?
Whoever you are anonymouse! Thanks for all your support over the years for CTU....
I am just worried this time...we may be through! Morale at my school is at an all time low.....with SB7 and our new age principals that often act like little dictators and if your principal is compasionate...then CPS area offices will change them or thier kind attitudes...now with REACH i think its the nail in our coffin....i think we are really in a bad spot! Eventually things will change and the smoke will clear...but a lot of good people will lose thier careers in the meantime!
Fee like all my career, schools, Professional Developments, online classes, on site classes, learning another language and tution loans are for naught..and 8 years of teaching 6th grade will serve me nothing....8 years down the drain! That's what goes through my head every day I wake up! I know it's not good for me...I know I am not alone....how can loweing teachers morale serve anything!
They have taken away the carrot and taken out the big stick!! And our stick has been replaced with a wiffal ball bat!
Eastside Teacher Speaks the Truth
I am a reassigned teacher this year, traveling to a new school every two to three weeks. I must say that Eastside Teacher (comment above) is not kidding when she says morale is low. I've never seen anything like it. You know it's bad when I, the one person in the school who is guaranteed to be laid off in June, is also the most optimistic. I don't think CPS has a clue that the morale is at rock bottom.
morale
Low morale and fear has been mistaken for loyalty and obedience!!
Sad Sad!
I know its an economic crisis...and understand the money is tight.However, the arrogance from people(rahm and brizzard) who can't even find keep "professionals" to stay for more than a year.....are the same people want teachers to make scholars out of every child...no matter the cost to the child or adult! If i hear children first again...I may laugh!!
.but to somehow try to wage a "education reform" now..is like trying to redo your roof in a windstorm....
btw Anonymous
Thanks for backing me up! I hope you find a full time job!!! One day it will get better....there are worst situations people can be in! I know...but we still need to keep our pride!!!
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