The Chicago Teachers Union membership has voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. 88% of their entire membership voted yes and 96% of those who cast a ballot authorized a strike. Those are very impressive percentages no matter how you slice it.
As for demands, the CTU put out a statement. This is at the top of the list:
(1) Improve the teaching and learning conditions by reducing standardized testing, eliminate time-sucking compliance paperwork, and restore professional respect and autonomy to teachers on matters like grades. These improvements cost nothing;
These should be among our top demands here in NYC too.
They certainly should have been among our demands in the LAST contract negotiations IF we had a leader with a brain as opposed to a slab of meat. This disaster known as Michael Mulgrew,has diminished the UFT to the point where when the exit door opens, 20% of this union will march out.
ReplyDeleteWonderful news for all teachers. These are matters that are important to all of us. I hope the UFT will at the very least come out in support. (For the UFT it'll be much higher than 20% walking out - I'd venture 80%.)
ReplyDeleteThat's scary.
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