
Chicago Teachers Union members strike outside the Chicago Public Schools headquarters in Chicago September 18, 2012. (REUTERS/John Gress)
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Chicago Teachers Union members strike outside the Chicago Public Schools headquarters in Chicago September 18, 2012. (REUTERS/John Gress)
The Chicago Teachers Union voted late Tuesday afternoon to end their labor strike which has lasted more than a week and return to their classrooms on Wednesday morning.
The union conceded that it was time to end the strike. Though they did not achieve all their demands, they confirmed that their fight for better schools, increased services for their students, and fair treatment for teaching professionals and their support staff would continue.
As the Chicago Tribune reports:
The voice vote was taken after some 800 delegates convened at a union meeting hall near Chinatown to discuss and debate a tentative contract. Union leaders had already signed off on the agreement with Chicago Public Schools.
"We said we couldn't solve all the problems. . .and it was time to suspend the strike," CTU President Karen Lewis said at a news conference after the vote.
"The issue is, we cannot get a perfect contract. There's no such thing as a contract that will make all of us" happy, Lewis said.
But "do we stay on strike forever until every little thing we want can be gotten?" she said.
"I'm so thrilled that people are going back, all of our members are glad to be back with their kids. It's a hard decision to make to go out, and for some people it's hard to make the decision to go back in," Lewis said.
Delegates poured out of the union hall singing "Solidarity Forever."
"I'm very excited. I miss my students. I'm relieved because I think this contract was better than what they offered," said America Olmedo, who teaches fourth- and fifth-grade bilingual classes. "They tried to take everything away."
Said Shay Porter, a teacher at the Henderson Academy elementary school: "We ignited the labor movement in Chicago."
# # #
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
The Chicago Teachers Union voted late Tuesday afternoon to end their labor strike which has lasted more than a week and return to their classrooms on Wednesday morning.
The union conceded that it was time to end the strike. Though they did not achieve all their demands, they confirmed that their fight for better schools, increased services for their students, and fair treatment for teaching professionals and their support staff would continue.
As the Chicago Tribune reports:
The voice vote was taken after some 800 delegates convened at a union meeting hall near Chinatown to discuss and debate a tentative contract. Union leaders had already signed off on the agreement with Chicago Public Schools.
"We said we couldn't solve all the problems. . .and it was time to suspend the strike," CTU President Karen Lewis said at a news conference after the vote.
"The issue is, we cannot get a perfect contract. There's no such thing as a contract that will make all of us" happy, Lewis said.
But "do we stay on strike forever until every little thing we want can be gotten?" she said.
"I'm so thrilled that people are going back, all of our members are glad to be back with their kids. It's a hard decision to make to go out, and for some people it's hard to make the decision to go back in," Lewis said.
Delegates poured out of the union hall singing "Solidarity Forever."
"I'm very excited. I miss my students. I'm relieved because I think this contract was better than what they offered," said America Olmedo, who teaches fourth- and fifth-grade bilingual classes. "They tried to take everything away."
Said Shay Porter, a teacher at the Henderson Academy elementary school: "We ignited the labor movement in Chicago."
# # #
The Chicago Teachers Union voted late Tuesday afternoon to end their labor strike which has lasted more than a week and return to their classrooms on Wednesday morning.
The union conceded that it was time to end the strike. Though they did not achieve all their demands, they confirmed that their fight for better schools, increased services for their students, and fair treatment for teaching professionals and their support staff would continue.
As the Chicago Tribune reports:
The voice vote was taken after some 800 delegates convened at a union meeting hall near Chinatown to discuss and debate a tentative contract. Union leaders had already signed off on the agreement with Chicago Public Schools.
"We said we couldn't solve all the problems. . .and it was time to suspend the strike," CTU President Karen Lewis said at a news conference after the vote.
"The issue is, we cannot get a perfect contract. There's no such thing as a contract that will make all of us" happy, Lewis said.
But "do we stay on strike forever until every little thing we want can be gotten?" she said.
"I'm so thrilled that people are going back, all of our members are glad to be back with their kids. It's a hard decision to make to go out, and for some people it's hard to make the decision to go back in," Lewis said.
Delegates poured out of the union hall singing "Solidarity Forever."
"I'm very excited. I miss my students. I'm relieved because I think this contract was better than what they offered," said America Olmedo, who teaches fourth- and fifth-grade bilingual classes. "They tried to take everything away."
Said Shay Porter, a teacher at the Henderson Academy elementary school: "We ignited the labor movement in Chicago."
# # #