The strike isn't all about wages: Instead, the big sticking points are maintaining existing health benefits and standardized testing.
| Tue Sep. 11, 2012 3:00 AM PDT
This explainer has been regularly updated;click here for the most recent post. Or read on for a primer.
More than 350,000 kids in the Chicago Public School district got to sleep in on Monday because their teachers were up early strikingfor better benefits, job security, evaluations, and training. The Chicago Teachers Union has been in contract negotiations with Chicago Public Schools since November 2011, but this is the first actual teachers' strike to hit the Windy City in 25 years. There have been other teacher strikes this year in Oregon and Pennsylvania, but this latest movement has sparked a fierce debate about national education reform, raising questions about America's emphasis on standardized testing. It has also pit public schools against charter schools, which are often nonunionized and "tend to favor rookie teachers who are younger and far less likely to be minorities," according to the Chicago Tribune.
Stephanie Gadlin, a spokesperson for the Chicago Teachers Union, says "we are fighting for educational justice. We do not intend on taking this anymore." But Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is characterizing the protest as "a strike of choice" because, he claims, the city has already made an offer that is close to the demands of the union.
Read on for the rest of our primer, or jump to these recent updates:
Why are the teachers striking? The Chicago Teachers Union is looking for a contract that includes the following (information courtesy of Gadlin):
- Pay Fairness: "CTU seeks a fairer distribution of pay [i.e. higher compensation for teachers] and to preserve the schedule for career advancement established 45 years ago in the Union's first labor contract."
- Protection of Benefits: "Maintain our existing benefits and sick days without increasing the contribution rate [how much teachers have to pay out-of-pocket for health care]."
- Fair Evaluation Procedure: "The Chicago Public Schools' proposed evaluation procedures could result in 6,000 teachers, or nearly a third of all CPS teachers, facing discharge within one or two years. It places too much emphasis on standardized test scores, which diminishes children’s education and punishes teachers unfairly." In other words, teacher performance will be judged by standardized test scores.
- Teacher Training: "Chicago Public Schools is imposing a new curriculum at all schools and a strict evaluation system. Teachers have asked for more training, but CPS proposes no increase, or in some cases decreased, teacher training."
- Timetable for air conditioning: "Teachers insist that Chicago Public Schools agree to a reasonable timetable to install air conditioning in student classrooms. In July and August, students sit in sweltering 98-degree heat." (In case you're wondering what students are doing in a classroom during the summer, Chicago has implemented some year-round public schools.)
The union is also looking for a fair recall procedure for laid off teachers and fair compensation for a longer school year.
Chicago teachers on strike: September 10 br5ad, Flick
Where are teachers clashing with the school system? On Sunday, Chicago Public Schools offered the teachers union its "fair and reasonable deal," which the union did not accept. This proposal included a 16 percent average salary increase equaling $320 million over the next four years, security for laid off teachers, and paid maternity leave, among other things. There are multiple clashes between the teachers' asks and what the school system will give, but contrary to popular belief, it's not all about wages (according to CNN, public school teachers are "close to a deal on pay"). Instead, the big sticking points are maintaining existing health benefits (the school district would keep costs from rising for two-thirds of union members, but the union doesn't want anyone to be paying more) and fair evaluation procedures.
How long will the strike last? No one is hazarding a guess: Emanuel told Time he will "work to end the strike quickly." CTU spokesperson Gadlin says that "we are currently in negotations as we speak," but "I don't know, I don't have a crystal ball."
What does Mayor Emanuel have to say about it? Emanuel says: "This is a strike of choice, and because of how close we are, it is a strike that is unnecessary. I have told my team, they are available tonight and ready to go back in. We've asked [the teachers] to postpone this…the issues are not financial." To see his full statement, check out this video (by theAssociated Press):
Where are the children going to go? Chicago Public Schools opened 144 "Children First" sites on Monday, September 10, with limited hours. These sites promise provide a safe environment, food, and things for kids to do. The school system is also working with libraries, nonprofits, and churches.
These organizations are providing additional sites for students. The downside is that many keep weird hours for parents. If you're in the 60639 area code for example, it could be tough trying to shuttle a kid from the Mark Twain Elementary School Park (open 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.) to the New Dimension Library (open till 2 p.m.) to the Salvation Army, Midway Citadel (open till 5 p.m., but in a different zip code).
What do the parents say? Needless to say, some parents are very upset, and have taken to Twitter over the past week to express their frustration:
However, other parents are taking the opportunity to express their support for the teachers. As of Monday, a petition on SignOn.org has over 1,500 signatures, many from Chicago (although it's unclear how many of the signatories are actually parents.) Here's what Twitter has to say:
What do Mitt Romney and President Obama say? Obama hasn't taken a firm stand on the strike one way or the other. However, at a White House press briefing on Monday, spokesman Jay Carney said that the president's "principle concern is for the students and families who are affected by the situation. And we hope that both sides are able to come together and settle this quickly and in the best interest of Chicago's students." Here's a video of the briefing:
GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney has taken a firm stance against the strike. He said in a press release: "I am disappointed by the decision of the Chicago Teachers Union to turn its back on not only a city negotiating in good faith but also the hundreds of thousands of children relying on the city's public schools to provide them a safe place to receive a strong education. Teachers unions have too often made plain that their interests conflict with those of our children, and today we are seeing one of the clearest examples yet. President Obama has chosen his side in this fight, sending his Vice President last year to assure the nation's largest teachers union that 'you should have no doubt about my affection for you and the President's commitment to you.' I choose to side with the parents and students depending on public schools to give them the skills to succeed, and my plan for education reform will do exactly that."
What do others say? New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof is leading a social media debate on both Twitter and Facebook about his view:
Labor expert Kathleen Hirsman told CBS News, "We are in uncharted waters in regards to this strike…in the past, strikes usually center around pay increases, and it's just a matter of horse trading on the numbers. In this instance, the union does not seem to be focusing on salary as their main issue of contention."
UPDATE 3, 8:30 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, September 12: Two Chicago teachers on the front lines tell Mother Jones about their experiences
[Both teachers requested to remain anonymous.]
Teacher 1: "I have worked as an educator in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for four years and in the education field for six. I work on the Northwest side of the city in one of the highest performing CPS networks....We have Starboards and iPads and the ability to access and ask for supplies at any point in the year. We are a very successful neighborhood school. So why have I been wearing a sandwich board-like picket sign and red garb for the past three days? Why have I attended five pickets and rallies at my school, one of the chosen Children First locations, a high school, and in downtown Chicago? I have come home with aching feet without getting paid because I have seen schools and students that have far less than my students and me. I have seen a parent being removed from those schools in handcuffs after entering the school and assaulting a first grader. I have seen five-year-old students at those schools being lectured by a principal about how to deal with the gang activity in their neighborhood. I am on strike because, like one rally sign stated, 'Together we bargain - alone we beg.'
There is a sense of safety being with that many people fighting with you. Perhaps the crowd provides a sense of freedom to be more creative with signs, music, and chants. Being with the larger group makes the sting of angry drivers stopping by to scream, "You are a fucking piece of shit!" at our picket line subside. I do not believe this event to be detrimental to students; they will make up the days once the strike ceases. I understand the inconvenience on the families and believe it to be unfortunate, but we must understand that the fight is a larger, national, even worldwide situation."
Teacher 2: "I am a special education pre-school teacher. I have been a teacher at CPS for a year. I was an assistant teacher in CPS for a year as well. I have picketed at my school and one of the 144 holding centers that are open. I went to rallies downtown yesterday and Monday. Today we rallied at a high school in Chicago. The mood while picketing at our local school is a bit frustrating for me. Most of the teacher’s attitude is not really enthusiastic. We just walk around and don’t chant. Downtown feels completely different. When I am at the rally downtown I feel like I am part of a family of people who are positive and determined to get better conditions for our students.
I am protesting for my students. I am striking because I don’t want any child to be in a classroom with 40 other children and one adult. I want enough school nurses, social workers, speech pathologists, and O.T’s to service my students. I want children to have art, music, and physical education. I want children to be taught forge in languages and get to go to schools building that are not falling apart, and are safe. I want all children in public schools to have adequate resources to be able to succeed in school. I want to be evaluated in a fair way not primarily by tests scores. I am protesting because teachers have not been included in 'school reform' talks and sadly the only way to get our voices heard has been to strike. In the long run it will hurt our student’s more to give up this fight."
UPDATE 3, 3:30 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, September 12: "Testy" negotiations resume Wednesday
The Chicago Tribune reports that negotiations have resumed, but characterizes a top Chicago Public Schools official as starting them on a "testy" note. According to the paper, Barbara Byrd-Bennett, the district's chief education advisor is "laying the blame for no agreement on union leaders."
UPDATE 2, 7:00 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, September 11: No contract deal Tuesday night, says Chicago school board president
Chicago School Board President David Vitale tells CNN there will be no contract deal Monday night. He also says that he told the union: "we should resolve this tomorrow. We are close enough."
UPDATE 1, 4:00 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, September 11: Striker accuses Mayor Emanuel of liking the band Nickelback
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