Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

chicagoteachersunion

By Joe Iosbaker

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Chicago, IL – Sarah Chambers is one of the best-known rank-and-file leaders of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). A distinguished, award winning Special Education teacher at Maria Saucedo Academy, her name is a familiar one to politicians, and to the Board of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Photos of her leading protests to defend her students have appeared regularly in the Chicago media, and even in the New York Times.

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By Joe Iosbaker

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Chicago, IL – On Monday night, Oct. 10, just before the midnight deadline, the bargaining committee of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) tentatively accepted a new contract offer from management.

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By Fern

Protesters gather at the University of Illinois Chicago to Protest Cuts"

Chicago, IL – In an historic showing of force and bravery, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) carried out a one-day strike on April 1. Over 25,000 people, some from as far away as Canada and Florida, participated by walking picket lines, speaking out on campuses and marching in the streets to demand justice for the workers and students of the Chicago school system.

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By staff

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Chicago, IL – Members of the Chicago Teachers Union and their supporters hit the picket lines today, April 1, in a huge one day strike. Picket lines and protests against attacks on public education are taking place across the city.

#ChicagoIL #strike #ChicagoTeachersUnion #Strikes #TeachersUnions

By Joe Iosbaker

Joe Iosbaker (right) is co-chair of the Joint Bargaining Committee (JBC) of SEIU

Chicago, IL – A plan is in the works for April 1 protests across Chicago to oppose attacks coming down on working people and the oppressed, and rich people are extremely nervous about it. The school board, appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, has attacked the teachers, claiming that their upcoming strike is illegal and harms the children. But Rahm has less than a 20% approval rating, while the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has a 60% approval rating, and even more support among those whose children they teach.

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By Joe Iosbaker

Members of the Chicago Teachers Union march against layoffs

Chicago, IL – In response to the announcement of over 1000 layoffs of teachers and staff, the Chicago Teachers Union rallied, marched and occupied the Bank of America (BoA) on LaSalle Street, Feb. 4.

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By staff

Sarah Chambers, member of the Chicago Teachers Union bargaining committee.

Chicago, IL – On Feb. 1, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) rejected an offer from the city. Management claimed their offer was generous to the teachers, but when the 40 teachers and working members of the bargaining committee looked at the language in the offer, they found more attacks on their students.

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By Tom Burke

Rev. Osagyefo Sekou and Rasmea Odeh.

Chicago, IL – The Chicago Teachers Union invited Rev. Osagyefo Sekou as their guest of honor and keynote speaker for a Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast on Friday, Jan. 15. Reverend Sekou became well known across the country when he travelled to Ferguson during the rebellion in August 2014, after the murder of Mike Brown. He defended the movement, and especially the youth, in their opposition to the militarized police repression.

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By staff

Sarah Chambers (center) during 2012 teachers strike.

Chicago, IL – In the face of attacks on teachers, their schools and students, union members in Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) Local 1 are ready to fight.

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By staff

Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago, IL – 5000 teachers and their supporters marched in the Chicago Teachers Union first major contract mobilization, June 9. Their slogan was “A Fair Contract and A Just Chicago,” continuing their tradition of fighting for the needs of the working class as well as their members.

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