My prior post on this horrible situation created by Rahm Emanuel, President Obama's close ally:
1000 Chicago Public Schools' Employees, Teachers, and Support Staff Are Laid Off
The Chicago Teachers Union spoke out against the draconian
layoffs and budget cuts imposed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
 |
| Karen Lewis |
CTU's Lewis calls Gov. Rauner 'the new ISIS recruit'
Betsy Combier
betsy.combier@gmail.com
Editor, NYC Rubber Room Reporter
Editor, Parentadvocates.org
Editor, New York Court Corruption
Editor, National Public Voice
Editor, The NYC Public Voice
Betsy Combier
betsy.combier@gmail.com
Editor, NYC Rubber Room Reporter
Editor, Parentadvocates.org
Editor, New York Court Corruption
Editor, National Public Voice
Editor, The NYC Public Voice
STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Stephanie Gadlin
August 9, 2016 312/329-6250 (office)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Stephanie Gadlin
August 9, 2016 312/329-6250 (office)
CTU President Karen Lewis warns of inevitable strike should
CPS enforce cuts to wages and benefits of public school educators
CHICAGO—The following is a partial transcript of CTUPresident Karen Lewis’ remarks from Monday’s news conference in response to the
new Chicago Public Schools budget:
“I am Karen Lewis, president of the Chicago Teachers Union.
I am joined by fellow officers, Vice President Jesse Sharkey and Financial
Secretary Maria Moreno. We are also joined by a group of rank and file
teachers—all who are obtaining their national board certification, which is one
of the highest distinctions in the nation for our profession. And contrary to
the governor’s beliefs, all of whom can read, write, add, think…and vote him
out of office.
“On Monday, August 29th, CTU members—teachers,
paraprofessionals and clinicians—will report to their schools and classrooms.
They will be returning to work without a labor agreement amidst severe budget
cuts and threats to their profession, income and benefits.
“Our members are returning to more than 500 school buildings
that are filthy due to bad CPS outsourcing; with contaminated pipes that may
have exposed children and employees to lead poisoning; and in a climate where
random gun violence and neighborhood conflicts have gripped significant parts
of our city in fear.
“Our members are returning to campuses where their
colleagues have disappeared, by no fault of their own, but because of mandates
from the Board that principals reduce positions and cut school budgets to the
marrow. Fewer employees—including teachers’ aides—mean enormous class sizes.
The more students in a classroom mean fewer minutes of personalized instruction
for each student.
“And, though educators have already returned about $2
billion in salary and benefits to the district, with $100 million being returned
this year alone, we are being asked to give more when there is nothing left to
give. Understand that budget cuts impact students; they include cuts to
programming, staffing and services.
“Our special needs students have been hit the hardest, and
CPS continues to gut special education at record speed. Even as children are
impacted by post-traumatic stress disorder due to rampant violence and
death—including police shootings caught on video—CPS reduces social workers,
school psychologists and nurses.
“Veteran educators, many of whom are nationally board
certified, have been driven out of the district, out of our city, and some, out
of the state. Just as highly skilled public university professors are being
driven to smaller school districts in Florida and elsewhere, we are seeing
teachers and good principals leaving CPS in record numbers. People go where
they can engage in their profession, have significant impact on students and
where their careers aren’t threatened at every turn.
“The Chicago Teachers Union has been clear. If the Board of
Education imposes a 7 percent slash in our salaries, we will move to strike.
Cutting our pay is unacceptable, and for years, the ‘pension pickup’ as the
Board has called it, was part of our compensation package. This was not a perk.
This was negotiated compensation with the Board of Education.
“The CTU has also been very clear—CPS is broke on purpose.
Instead of chasing phantom revenue in Springfield and in between the seat
cushions of Chicago taxpayers, Mayor Emanuel and the Chicago City Council can
show true leadership and guts by reinstating the corporate head tax, declaring
a TIF surplus and fighting for progressive taxation that would pull in revenue
from the uber-wealthy in our city and state. The rich must pay their fair
share.
“Chicago’s teachers are required to live in the city of
Chicago. This means the mayor is telling us that even though he has stolen our
raises, cut our benefits such as steps and lanes, and now threatens an even
further pay cut of 7 percent, as taxpayers we must pay more and more and more
for everything under the sun. None of that new revenue, however, will even go
toward schools. This is absurd thinking.
“That is why the Chicago Teachers Union will attend all CPS
budget hearings and call for truthful and fair taxation for CPS schools. Our
members will do what they do best—educate the public, including parents, about
the lies within CPS’ funding formula, the Board’s budgeting process and why the
school district continues to cry broke.
“Cuts to our pay and benefits must be negotiated. We have
been bargaining in good faith since the middle of last year and we have yet to
come to an agreement. At some point a line has to be drawn in the sand.
“Chicago teachers do not seek to go on strike. We want to return
to clean, safe, resourced schools. We want a fair contract. We will continue to
partner with parents and community residents in fighting for the schools our
students deserve.
“But we will not accept an imposed pay cut.
“To parents, play close attention to what is going on over
the next few weeks so you can be prepared should CPS force educators back on
the picket line. To CTU members, we’ve been telling you for months now to save
as much money as you can.
“We do not know if Mayor Emanuel can stand another teachers
strike, especially at a time when confidence in his leadership is at an
all-time low, and when the city is in an uproar over another police shooting of
an unarmed African-American youth.
“Do not force our hand.”
