Month: August 2012

A message from Teacher Activist Groups (TAG)

a national network (including NYCoRE)

 

Dear Educators and Allies,

Chicago has been the focus of corporate school “reform,” but Chicago is now the epicenter of the push back against it.  The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), along with parent and community allies is leading the fight, with the possibility of going on strike.  In support, Teacher Activist Groups (TAG) invites you to join our campaign, Solidarity with Chicago Teachers, a web page where you can find up-to-date information on what’s happening as well as an opportunity to pledge your solidarity by posting a testimonial, teaching a related lesson, organizing a discussion and solidarity from your union, school, or education program, and/or contributing to the CTU solidarity fund.

Last year, the Illinois legislature, with support of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, passed an anti-union bill mandating that in order to authorize a strike, 75% of all CTU members would have to vote in favor, with votes not cast being counted as ‘no’s.  The teachers and their allies responded by rallying 6000 strong in downtown Chicago in May 2012 and in June, the teachers voted with an overwhelming majority of 90% to authorize a strike. When counting only the ballots cast, that majority goes up to 98%.

This is an historic moment for public education.  The outcome of the struggle for just and equitable public schools in Chicago will help define this struggle nationwide. If the teachers do go on strike it will not be an easy fight, which makes your support and pledge of solidarity vital.  Please join today!

Their Fight is Our Fight!
Join us in Solidarity with Chicago Teachers →

Donate to the Solidarity Fund →

If you’re here in the NYC area please join folks at:

Solidarity with Chicago teachers!

Chicago teachers authorize strike! Come build solidarity & learn about the struggle.

A discussion featuring a presentation by a Chicago Teachers Union member

Thursday, August 23rd
6:30 p.m.

The Murphy Institute
25 West 43rd Street, between 5th and 6th avenues
18th Floor, Room C/D

Stand with CTU!

Sponsored by (list in formation):  Movement of Rank and File Educators, Black New Yorkers for Educational Excellence, Coalition for Public Education, Grassroots Education Movement (GEM), Labor Notes, New York Collective of Radical Educators (NYCoRE), New York City Labor Against the War, OWS Labor Outreach Committee

 

Solidarity with Chicago teachers!

Chicago teachers authorize strike! Come build solidarity & learn about the struggle.

A discussion featuring a presentation by a Chicago Teachers Union member

Thursday, August 23rd
6:30 p.m.

The Murphy Institute
25 West 43rd Street, between 5th and 6th avenues
18th Floor, Room C/D

 

Public schools, teachers and their unions are under attack throughout the country.

The drive to privatize our public schools and strip away teacher protections is only accelerating.

In Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel canceled a promised 4% pay raise to Chicago teachers and proposed lengthening the school day by 20% with only a 2% raise.  In addition, Emanuel proposes implementing a merit pay system for teachers–a similar system in Baltimore has led to 60% of teachers receiving unsatisfactory ratings.  In response, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has refused to back down and has shown the power of solidarity, holding large rallies and forging alliances with community members.  The CTU is demanding smaller class sizes, fair pay and a diverse and fulfilling curriculum for Chicago students.  This spring, 90% of all CTU members voted to authorize a strike.  98% of those voting authorized a strike.

The CTU’s campaign has met with some initial success.  Emanuel recently agreed to hire almost 500 teachers, mostly arts, PE and enrichment teachers.  These teachers will be hired from a pool of laid-off, experienced teachers.  The result is that a longer school day will not force teachers to work longer and harder with no compensation.

While this victory is inspiring, the CTU’s strike preparations continue, as there has been no agreement on teacher pay, class sizes, merit pay and other important issues.  It is urgent that teachers, parents and community members show our solidarity with CTU.  We also have a lot to learn from CTU’s struggle.

Come hear a presentation by a CTU member and help organize solidarity for the Chicago teachers here in NYC!

Stand with CTU!

Sponsored by (list in formation):  Movement of Rank and File Educators, Black New Yorkers for Educational Excellence, Coalition for Public Education, Grassroots Education Movement (GEM), Labor Notes, New York Collective of Radical Educators (NYCoRE), New York City Labor Against the War, OWS Labor Outreach Committee

Contact nycctusolidarity@gmail.com to help organize the event or to co-sponsor