Englewood Teachers Fight For A Fair Contract
Rashanah Baldwin
Published: September 10, 2012
The first strike in 25 years within the Chicago Public School System kicked off late Sunday evening after the Chicago Teachers Union failed to reach an agreement with Chicago Public Schools.
As early as 5am on Monday, parents, clergy, community based organizations and teachers in Englewood have been rallying in solidarity with fellow CTU members citywide.
CTU protesters (Altgeld Elementary)
Rashanah Baldwin
CTU members are demanding a fair contract, which would include job security, climate control, fair student to teacher ratio, working air conditioning in each classroom and much more. Teachers in Englewood have been rallying in solidarity with fellow CTU members citywide.
During a press conference CTU’s president Karen Lewis says, "picketing will not end to all the CTU's demands are met."
Belinda Mckinnley-Childrey, Special Education Teacher and Union Delegate of Altgeld School wants “fair teacher evaluations, better benefits and a better contract.” Childrey says her team is committed to standing strong each day until their needs are met. The goal is to have the issues resolved by the end of Monday.
While the children are missing school, Childrey says that teachers sent the students home with work and advised the parents to be proactive by taking students to the library.
Michael Gordon, an Englewood resident and parent of a 7th grader, 4thgrader and
Michael Gordon (CTU supporter, Englewood Resident and Altgeld Parent)
Rashanah Baldwin
kindergartner attending Altgeld Elementary School is in support of the teacher strike.
In efforts to make sure his children stay educationally engaged he assigns them book reports and will take them to the library to rent educational materials. Gordon’s hope is that while students are out of school, the parents and community will work together to keep them engaged to ensure that violence will not occur.
The main concern is the overcrowding of students in one classroom and a better contract, says Betty Cochran, a clerk at Harvard Elementary. Cochran says, that the raises they are being offered is counterproductive because of the increase on their insurance premiums and the longer school days they will incur.
While going without a paycheck is a concern to teachers at Stagg, Harvard and Altgeld, they are frustrated with the current conditions of their contract and will continue to rally in union with teachers citywide to demand a new and fair contract.
CTU protesters (Stagg Elementary)
Rashanah Baldwin
During a press conference earlier today, Mayor Emmanuel says the “strike is a strike of choice and bad choice being made by CTU.”
CTU members will gather citywide today at 3:30pm to rally at CPS Headquarters and the goal is to have an agreement reached. Currently both sides (CTU and CPS) are at the bargaining table to negotiate a fair contract.