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Labor & Worker Rights Fri May 21 2010
Decision Time: Chicago's Teachers Vote
Today is election day for the Chicago Teachers Union, an election we've covered over the last few months, which touches on issues we've covered exhaustively since Mechanics launched in '08.
Teachers will be choosing between several caucus slates; the incumbent United Progressive Caucus, the Coalition for a Strong, Democratic Union (CSDU), Pro-Active Chicago Teachers and School Employees (PACT), the Caucus of Rank-and-File Educators (CORE), and the School Employees Association (SEA Caucus). Voting is open all day today and the results will be announced by the union's press secretary, Rosemaria Genova, "between 2am and 4am" according to a press release.
Earlier this week, CORE's co-chair, Jackson Potter, filed a lawsuit against the Board of Education to force them to reveal the calculations that go into their budget projects--the same projections they are using to justify increasing class sizes and demanding union concessions.
"CPS and CEO Ron Huberman have spent months scaring the public by threatening to raise class sizes to 35 or 37 students next year because of budget shortfalls and they're making teacher cuts right now based on those budget-driven projections," Potter said in a statement. "However, when the public demands documents to prove his deficit claims, Huberman and CPS have been uncharacteristically silent, to the extent of breaking the law."
This type of fight--which brings together government transparency, education, labor rights, and TIFs, as well documented by Progress Ilinois--is exactly why the results of this election could have significant repercussions for Chicago's politics.
Documents detailing the specifics of the suit can be found below.
Potter v Bd of Education-Complaint (Conformed)[1]
Michael E. Brunson / May 22, 2010 5:53 PM
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
I cannot adequately express the depth of heartfelt gratitude I have for everyone that worked so hard to bring CORE this far.
I thank every CTU member that voted for CORE and feel a deep obligation to meet your most positive expectations.
I thank George Schmidt for being there where everyone needed him the most at the most opportune time.
And I am once again awed and inspired by whatever it is (name it as you may), that holds this wonderful Cosmos together and keeps us all from tumbling into chaos and insignificance.
Michael E. Brunson
CORE Candidate for Recording Secretary