Chicago Teachers Union is in a fight for a fair contract against a mayor with an agenda to bust the union and privatize schools to the highest bidder (or at least his connected friends). Astroturf groups like Stand for Children, Democrats for Education Reform, and even the Tea Party-led "Education Action Group" got into the fray to prevent Chicago Teachers Union from fighting for a contract that will give their students the schools they deserve. However, after two years of community building, the Chicago Teachers Union is winning. Find out how after the jump.
Three years ago, Chicago Teachers Union was not working with communities. Since the election of President Karen Lewis and her rank-and-file leadership team took office, teachers have been working with their school communities to organize a resistance to the "Chicago Way" of backdoor deals that lead to school privatization and outsourcing of services.
Mayor Emanuel must have felt the need to play hardball after this Chicago Tribune poll showed:
Among public school parents, 48 percent sided with the teachers union and 18 percent sided with the mayor.
Last week, teachers staged pickets outside of schools and parents and students joined in to advocate for their schools and their educators.
School paraprofessional Cynthia Smith pickets for a fair contract.
Although Mayor Rahm Emanuel has high-powered friends, CTU has something much more powerful -- 30,000 members and the students and parents they serve.
High School Teacher Michelle Mottram tells Progress Illinois why she's picketing.
Gage Park High School parents, teachers, and students want a #FairContractNow
Dett School picketing
Who are the out-of-town billionaires who are working with Mayor Emanuel to thwart the community? Watch this video and find out.