* Tribune…
The Chicago Teachers Union has called in its House of Delegates to vote on a tentative contract, but says the deal hinges on Mayor Lori Lightfoot agreeing to allow lost school days to be made up.
It’s unclear how Lightfoot and CPS will respond on making up school days. Lightfoot has repeatedly said the school district would not make up school days lost to the strike. Last week, Lightfoot was emphatically against the idea, saying: “I’ve been very clear from the beginning: We are not extending the school year. I typically don’t say things in public that I don’t mean.”
* Sun-Times…
Makeup days a sticking point for CTU
The last day of school on the CPS calendar is June 16. If all the missed days were added to the end of the year, school would continue until June 30.
The delegates are meeting at 6 pm. This is yet another question about money. Teachers want to be paid, CPS hasn’t wanted to do that.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Tribune…
Chicago Teachers Union delegates have voted to accept a new contract deal – but won’t end the strike yet because they’re still squabbling with the city over making up the days lost to the walkout.
The union says it will be at City Hall at 10 a.m. Thursday to “demand the mayor return our days.”
CPS responded a short time later by formally canceling classes again Thursday, which will be the 11th day of the walkout.
*** UPDATE 2 *** The end may be very near…
*** UPDATE 3 *** Here we go…
- A guy - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:18 pm:
Short Christmas, Spring (Easter) and other vacations. Maybe even come back sooner from Thanksgiving. Honor Casimir Pulaski, MLK, George and Abe from a school desk this year. There are ways to do it.
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:19 pm:
Doesn’t state law mandate the number of days they teach? Therefore if they are under the number don’t they have to make up days list to strike?
- GC - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:22 pm:
Don’t blame Lori for standing her ground but it is a bit of an interesting contradiction. Don’t want to shorten the school day for prep time because the kids need the instructional time… but we won’t make up the strike days because it’s the teachers fault the kids lost instructional time? *shrug*
- Anon - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:22 pm:
New law put it at 176 days of instruction, I believe, and removed the limit on how many hours constituted a day. Chicago will likely need to tack on some extra days to meet the minimum.
- Anon1 - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:22 pm:
When she was running, she said a bunch of things in public she didn’t mean (using RETT for Homeless funding, as an example).
- Efficiency - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:23 pm:
==Short Christmas, Spring (Easter) and other vacations. Maybe even come back sooner from Thanksgiving. Honor Casimir Pulaski, MLK, George and Abe from a school desk this year. There are ways to do it.==
All great options for CPS families who’ve already had 2+ weeks of schedule disruption.
- Reality Check - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:23 pm:
Just pay them but don’t extend the year. Boom, done
- Seats - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:25 pm:
Poor football teams, they have to get a practice in tonight to be eligible for Saturday’s playoff games.
- Thomas Paine - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:26 pm:
If they do not extend the school year, teachers will just take extra sick days in protest and the district will have to hire substitutes.
There is no real upside to leaving this much bad blood.
- anon - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:28 pm:
One caveat on the 176 days of instruction requirement - it’s unlikely that falling short of that number would actually impact CPS. I think previously there could be a funding shortage, but new funding structure is not tied to days of instruction. So CPS could ignore the requirement and save the money.
- ab03 - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:29 pm:
She also said there would be no strike.
This seems like another instance of a money issue dressed in different clothes. Just get the money. Figure out the mechanics later. There are a few days here and there that they can add to the school year and get the rest by extending the school day. Just give the teachers their missed pay.
- Steve - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:39 pm:
I expect Lori will have to roll over until the next time CTU strikes if Lori is still Mayor.
- Powdered Whig - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:39 pm:
=== Just pay them but don’t extend the year. Boom, done ===
Um… thats the only reason why the mayor doesnt want to extend the year.
- Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:40 pm:
Oh, so the teachers want to strike and still get their full pay, eh? Must be nice.
- Powdered Whig - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:41 pm:
I think this strike ends tonight. That health insurance issue is nothing to take lightly. A teacher friend I know told me that COBRA for her would be $1,900/month.
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:44 pm:
Hasn’t everyone heard that they call it “No School November” because of all the days off? Since we have already had No School October, make up those days in November and throughout the year. I have a high school senior—they already have the Auditorium Theatre reserved for graduation on June 7th. Seniors won’t get those extra days unless they make them up during the school year.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:45 pm:
If CPS converts school year holidays to student attendance days, teachers won’t get back pay for those days as those are technically already paid holidays. If days lost to the strike are added at the end of the school year, they’d get that back pay.
No sympathy here. Every other labor union risks their paychecks when going on strike. UAW members lost a month’s worth of wages for their GM strike. Automobile Mechanics Union lost pay for their strike against car dealerships. Only teachers get this protective buffer of the minimum school year. In most teacher strikes, they don’t lose any pay. This one, maybe not.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:46 pm:
==teachers will just take extra sick days in protest==
So…lie?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:49 pm:
=== So…lie?===
Never took a “well” day.
Impressive.
- Thomas Paine - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:53 pm:
@City Zen -
I am sure you have had those days where you didn’t feel 100 percent but you went into work because you feel like a valued part of the team and want to be seen as a team player.
I think we all have.
When you have a lousy boss who makes you feel like it’s his way or the highway all the time, less of a team effort and more like a sled dog being cracked by the whip, you are not going to come in on those days.
So no, it isn’t lying.
ISBE has started tracking the percent of teachers who max out sick days by school district, as a proxy for teacher satisfaction, along with turnover rate.
Any word on whether it’s a three-year or five-year deal?
- Anon - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:54 pm:
Parent loss pay having to stay home or find alternatives and then there is extra for no aftercare and early care. Do we get reimbursed?
- sewer thoughts - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:56 pm:
@City Zen, those other labor unions you pointed out are also in industries that don’t have a maximum period in the year in which to achieve the regular paycheck in addition to that minimum day number. If GM made better cars, you could make cars three shifts 365 days a year - you can’t have schools open like that.
- Chris - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 4:58 pm:
Maybe the teachers can donate their sick days to all the parents who had to burn theirs for the strike. /s
(I have the good fortune to have a job that I can do as a work from home any given day. Two weeks straight has been not ideal, tho)
- Bruce( no not him) - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 5:01 pm:
I have no dog in this fight. But, what is more important, punishing the CTU or the kids education?
- PublicServant - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 5:01 pm:
@City Zen ===No sympathy here.===
Shocker.
- GetOverIt - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 5:05 pm:
Let’s not extend the school year; teachers don’t get paid. They decided to strike - accept the consequences. Parents should not be forced to bear the cost of the strike to the benefit of the teachers. Actions have consequences.
- CommonSenseCary - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 5:08 pm:
I think the crowd is with the Mayor/CPS on this one; people plan around 3 day weekends, spring break and *especially* summer break. Makeup the 2 mandated days, pray for no snow days, and keep it moving. This is not a surprise to any CTU member who paid attention.
Side Note: I’ll be curious to see what all this ends up being up when the final agreement is reached. Something tells me it’ll end up being closer to CPSs original offer than meeting all of CTUs demands.
- Enviro - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 5:21 pm:
I agree with Anon1 @ 4:22:
==When she was running, she said a bunch of things in public she didn’t mean==
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 5:39 pm:
Split the difference, tout “all sides have to make compromises.”
- Stormy - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 5:49 pm:
Back pay for a voluntary work stoppage? Unbelievable. Da Mayor better hang tough for future shakedowns.
- Dybalaton - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 6:11 pm:
Agree with A Guy, just shorten and eliminate other school year holidays. Being in school until the end of June is ridiculous. Of course the teachers love it because no one does anything in June.
- Dybalaton - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 6:13 pm:
My family has been punished by CTUs ridiculous demands, I’m ok if the teachers take a tiny pay cut this year.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 6:18 pm:
=== Of course the teachers love it because no one does anything in June.===
What does this even mean?
Are you calling teachers lazy? How so?
- City Zen - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 6:28 pm:
Thomas Paine - If you’re sick, you’re sick. That’s what sick days are for. Not 100%? Stay home. Having co-workers who have suffered serious illness, a couple whom didn’t survive, I’m thankful every year I don’t ed my full allotment of sick time.
It’s quite simple: If the final agreement doesn’t reimburse teachers for strike days, and they don’t like it, then don’t sign the contract.
I find it comical that CTU has been preaching to “put it in writing”, yet at the first suggestion one thing doesn’t go their way in the contract, there will be some silent protest on an agreement they’d have willingly and knowingly signed, no less.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 6:28 pm:
Thomas Paine - If you’re sick, you’re sick. That’s what sick days are for. Not 100%? Stay home. Having co-workers who have suffered serious illness, a couple whom didn’t survive, I’m thankful every year I don’t ed my full allotment of sick time.
It’s quite simple: If the final agreement doesn’t reimburse teachers for strike days, and they don’t like it, then don’t sign the contract.
I find it comical that CTU has been preaching to “put it in writing”, yet at the first suggestion one thing doesn’t go their way in the contract, there will be some silent protest on an agreement they’d have willingly and knowingly signed, no less.
- Anon E Moose - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 6:31 pm:
https://news.wttw.com/sites/default/files/article/file-attachments/Bargaining-Summary-2019-10-29.pdf
CTU wants more than is reasonable.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 6:33 pm:
If the district “makes up the days” students benefit from a full year of instruction.
Teacher won’t get “back pay” they are paid for the days they work. The typical school year is 176 student contact days and 4 institute days (can be broken up into half days) or 180 total days. CPS may be a little different but only a little.
Anyone advocating for not making up the days doesn’t get it and doesn’t care about education for some of the states neediest kids. (yeah, I know what some will say- teachers shouldn’t strike or they don’t care about kids yada, yada).
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 6:34 pm:
=== yet at the first suggestion one thing doesn’t go their way in the contract, there will be some silent protest on an agreement they’d have willingly and knowingly signed, no less.===
They’ll take sick days.
Doesn’t hurt you. What, a teacher takes a sick day, well what, you’re an injured party?
People miss work. Rare do we find perfect attendance, in school for students or teachers.
- Willowglen - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 6:48 pm:
The issue has nothing to do with sick days. Organized labor strikes because they believe that doing so will work to their long term advantage. They incur the risk of having members forego pay. Strikes are not desirable as typically the economic damages are significant to all interested parties (ask the parents). Paying for days not worked incentivized future strikes which generally are not in the public interest, especially if the strikes are during the school year. Note that only a minority of states permit teachers to strike, so at least as regards states like Illinois which permit strikes, it seems within reason to avoid payment for days voluntarily not worked. Nothing should be off the table in negotiations, but Lightfoot’s position is reasonable.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 6:55 pm:
=== Paying for days not worked incentivized future strikes which generally are not in the public interest…===
Teachers are part of that public. They are citizens same as anyone else.
This idea of “incentivize”, yeah, everyone loves a good work stoppage. You still are looking for a way to hurt labor, or keep them “quiet”. Nope. That’s not the way.
=== Note that only a minority of states permit teachers to strike===
Irrelevant. We’re taking what CTU is doing, and they are able to strike. Again, that argument is one to try to take labor down, not helpful in the discussion.
=== Nothing should be off the table in negotiations, but Lightfoot’s position is reasonable.===
We will see if the teachers agree.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 6:58 pm:
Other than peer pressure is there any reason a few coaches and athletic directors and counselors can’t cross the lines so students can prepare for SATs, early admission applications and games?
- Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 7:20 pm:
Compromise. Cancel Spring Break and no extra pay for working that week. Extend the school year the rest of the missed days and pay them for that.
Any teacher who doesn’t work Spring Break is docked pay.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 7:20 pm:
==People miss work.==
Ergo, sick days, for when you’re sick. CPS grants 12. Sick 12 days? Use 12 sick days. Sick longer? CPS offers short-term disability as well. Don’t need those sick days? Be thankful you’re not sick.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 7:21 pm:
=== Don’t need those sick days? Be thankful you’re not sick.===
The “sick day police” thank you.
- Too much - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 7:53 pm:
Who in the world accused teachers of not being citizens? This is 2nd grade level straw man nonsense. Is anyone’s thinking seriously so one dimensional they can’t understand a special interest group, yes composed of citizens, taxpayers ect. are capable of acting in self interest to the detriment of the public interest?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 7:56 pm:
=== Who in the world accused teachers of not being citizens? This is 2nd grade level straw man nonsense. Is anyone’s thinking seriously so one dimensional they can’t understand a special interest group, yes composed of citizens, taxpayers ect. are capable of acting in self interest to the detriment of the public interest?===
… but they can’t think as taxpayers too? As taxpayers too, they feel that teachers should be granted an agreeable contract.
So, thinking that, they aren’t thinking as taxpayers too?
That’s fun.
Now your turn.
- Perrid - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 8:00 pm:
“Oh, so the teachers want to strike and still get their full pay, eh? Must be nice.”
You get they would still have to work to get this money, yeah?
- Too much - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 8:13 pm:
I yield my turn. This is clearly your playground. You could make the same argument Steve Preckwinkle was acting as a taxpayer or chose to teach “for the children.” He is a taxpaying citizen after all, therefore all his actions are for the benefit of those groups by your thinking.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 8:17 pm:
You can’t claim “ 2nd grade level straw man nonsense ”and say “binary” is the only answer.
=== or===
Binary thinking divides us all in these issues.
- Steve - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 8:26 pm:
A night of class conflict. Hopefully , an agreement can be reached so the children can go back to school and teachers can get paid.
https://tinyurl.com/y62t8n7a
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 8:29 pm:
- Steve -
Are *these* the videos you play in the dorm room eating hot pockets bragging how you don’t vote?
- Cadillac - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 8:34 pm:
=== - Too much - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 7:53 pm:
Who in the world accused teachers of not being citizens? This is 2nd grade level straw man nonsense. ===
I see you have met Oswego Willy.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 8:37 pm:
Narrator: this is - Cadillac -‘s lone comment today.
Yikes, tomorrow is the 31st, do I owe rent living in your head?
Be well.
- Steve - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 8:39 pm:
OW
In all my years as an undergraduate and graduate student , I never lived in a dorm. But, hot pockets? You got me laughing real hard.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 8:39 pm:
Rumor mill has it 60% voted to ratify contract.
- Cadillac - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 8:44 pm:
=== - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 6:34 pm:
What, a teacher takes a sick day, well what, you’re an injured party?
People miss work. Rare do we find perfect attendance, in school for students or teachers. ===
Profound stuff right here, Strawman Willy. Care to elaborate?
Also, pretty creepy you count comments. Who is living is who’s head again?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 8:50 pm:
Your lone trolling is… well… “creepy”
===… People miss work. Rare do we find perfect attendance, in school for students or teachers. ===
Profound stuff right here… . Care to elaborate===
Contemplating if teachers decide to use sick days to protest if the don’t get paid for strike days… so what. In the scheme of things, people miss work for any and all kinds of reasons, including “I have the days, I’m taking off”
Let everyone… abide.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 8:51 pm:
Great news on the tentative deal, but the snag of getting back school days, and returning to work, remains.
The CTU really fought hard for this, for the students. Criticism of the union should be balanced against our country handing billions of dollars in tax cuts to those who need it least, and anti-union interests who scream about debt and being broke when it comes to public servants but don’t say a word about growing debt when it comes to the likes of Trump and Rauner.
- JKLewis - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 9:13 pm:
Not surprising that a union built upon the proganda of the likes of Jesse Sharkey would insist on make up days and pay for this tantrum that cost students and taxpayers. Hope the Mayor holds firm.
- Nieva - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 9:43 pm:
If they are like downstate teachers that sick time can get them retired up to two years early. Save it and go at 58 instead of 60.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 10:12 pm:
What do we want?
Back pay.
When do we want it?
After another day of not working.
And when do we want back pay for that extra day of not working?
Now.
- CTU Member - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 6:25 am:
A couple of things. 2 days have to already be made up. Same with every day moving forward. The thing about health insurance, have not yet received letter taking away that benefit. It is not certain they can actually do this at the last minute.
The strike now ends when Lori stops trying to get even. Might lose a few days but not nine. Never. CPS might lose patience with us but they will blame Lori if this goes into Monday.
Strike by the way was 100% for a better school. 11 days in and I am scheduled to make almost no more money than I did after the initial offer. Agreement barely passed because at the end of the day we still have overcrowded classrooms and much less support than most other schools in Illinois? Sad we had to march 20 thousand strong over and over again to get the meager crumbs we did.
- Southwest Sider - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 6:52 am:
Lightfoot should accept the extensions. Settle this strike, let the CTU win that last point, and get the kids back in school now. It is more of a liability for her to let this drag out longer.
- Anon - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 7:17 am:
CTU member there are parents who had to use their time and schools which stayed open to protect kids at a cost. This cost everyone and the teachers could had stayed in school and continued to bargain that needs to be said.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 7:22 am:
Agree with Southwest Sider. Being inflexible about extending days at this point can appear to contradict claims of being progressive and teacher-friendly that Lightfoot may have made. There’s a tentative agreement. Close the deal and let’s get the kids back in school and the teachers back to work.
- Just Me 2 - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 8:16 am:
Hey, it’s just taxpayer money. There is an endless supply of taxpayer money available. It is a pot of gold that never runs dry. I may make half now than what I made 10 years ago, and I no longer have healthcare or a retirement, but I don’t mind raising my taxes to fund $100k salaries for 9 months of work at all.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 8:17 am:
- Just Me 2 -
You sound… upset.
Ever thought about being a teacher? You make it sound dreamy.
- Steve - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 8:20 am:
- Just Me 2 -
It’s for the children.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 8:21 am:
Also, the teachers, also taxpayers, are fine with their own raised taxes.
- Just A Dude - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 8:33 am:
Just Me 2: As OW said, you need a career change. NBC news had an example of a South Carolina teacher making just over 35K after nine years. Works a second job every night for 4 hours to make ends meet. Teaching was a highly recomended career years back. Not sure how that can continue under the SC example, but thats where you want Illinois/Chicago to go?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 8:40 am:
“Hey, it’s just taxpayer money. There is an endless supply of taxpayer money available. It is a pot of gold that never runs dry.”
Bet this was and is also said about Trump and Republicans exploding the deficit and debt with spending, and shoveling the richest billions of dollars in tax cuts when we have such big debt.
There were and are no cries of “no money” when certain people are responsible for deficits and debt, no Tea Party now to attack the current spenders and debt. Those attacks are only directed at people when the spending is for teachers, social programs and public employees, among others.
- Anon - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 8:40 am:
This is not North Carolina.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 8:42 am:
Or South Carolina… Rauner tried, but…
- JS Mill - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 8:45 am:
=What do we want?
Back pay.=
Intentionally ignorant.
It isn’t back pay. They only get paid for the days they work, so they actually have to make up the days to get paid.
If you think 10 fewer (or even one for that matter) school days for CPS kids is a good idea, then you probably cannot read this post.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 8:46 am:
Anonymous @8:40 am was me, sorry.
- City Zen - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 8:48 am:
==Also, the teachers, also taxpayers, are fine with their own raised taxes.==
I didn’t mind either when my employer raised the price of their products which I also purchase. Then again, not everyone’s compelled to buy that product.
Can I have a do-over?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 8:51 am:
=== Then again, not everyone’s compelled to buy that product.===
How many folks send their kids to private schools that live in Chicago?
The constitution of Illinois “compels” Illinois to provide a K-12 education.
Why aren’t you a teacher again?
- JS Mill - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 8:58 am:
=Can I have a do-over?=
Sure, have some more kids and then send them to private schools. I am sure your poor little fee fees will be all better then.
- City Zen - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 9:00 am:
==How many folks send their kids to private schools that live in Chicago?==
Just the ones who could afford to take their business elsewhere.
==Why aren’t you a teacher again?==
At CPS or in general? There is a shortage, no? I suppose I could work in any school district I wanted. Plenty paying better than CPS, right?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 9:05 am:
=== Just the ones who could afford to take their business elsewhere.===
It’s a free market. Didn’t Rauner have that whole scholarship thingy that had all these matching funds and “millions” ready to be invested. How’s that going?
=== I suppose I could work in any school district I wanted. Plenty paying better than CPS, right?===
Good luck with that change. That’s how the labor force works.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 9:08 am:
BTW- Yesterday I was reminded again why Illinois is actually pretty awesome for kids and no/low tax nirvana’s like Texas are not.
We had an IEP meeting for a student that moved in from Dallas. The [paperwork was a joke and the dearth of federally mandated services provided by the Dallas school district is literally criminal. Mind you this is a student that has significant cognitive needs and yet no accommodations beyond additional time. The reason the parents were given was a lack of resources.
We are a small rural district but we are able to provide appropriate services for our special needs population.
Meanwhile in Texas……..tens of millions of tax dollars are spent on football stadiums and in door practice facilities.
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2016/12/09/texas-high-school-footballs-latest-arms-race-multimillion-dollar-indoor-practice-facilities/
And some on this blog think it is great to short the school year for CPS kids to spite the teachers. (banned word).
I’ll pay my Illinois and local taxes (I am a tax payer) with pride.
- City Zen - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 9:17 am:
JS - What would happen is Spring Break was converted to school days? Aren’t teachers already paid for those days? Teachers won’t lose pay and kids won’t lose 5 days of instruction.
Legitimate question here. You know this stuff.
- @misterjayem - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 9:17 am:
Lightfoot’s position is as follows:
Calling the logic of
this fundamentally flawed argument “incoherent” would be a generous understatement.
– MrJM
- Maybe the CTU... - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 9:18 am:
…Can do the Thriller dance at the bank loan line. They seemed to have so much fun until you threaten their health insurance. Don’t settle madam Mayor. Let these strikers share the financial burden of striking.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 9:26 am:
=== They seemed to have so much fun until you threaten their health insurance.===
What does this mean? You don’t like dancing?
What’s your driveby really mean?
- City Zen - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 9:33 am:
I’m sure students will be at full attention and completely absorb all instruction…On June 24.
Perhaps the Law of Diminishing Returns will be part of the curriculum.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 9:35 am:
=What would happen is Spring Break was converted to school days? Aren’t teachers already paid for those days? Teachers won’t lose pay and kids won’t lose 5 days of instruction.=
Teachers are not paid for those days. To the extent that I am aware- no districts give teachers paid vacation (maybe some private?).
Nearly every district in Illinois pays teachers for 180 days, unless they have a stipend for additional days for specific duties.
So, yes eliminating spring break is an option. But some families have already planned for that time and they will not be too happy. Shortening breaks or eliminating some is a reasonable option to make up the days versus adding them on to the end of the year.
In every district I know of, teachers are only paid for the days they work. When they do stuff in the summer, or come in on weekends- those are not actually contractual days.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 9:43 am:
=Calling the logic of
this fundamentally flawed argument “incoherent” would be a generous understatement.
– MrJM=
Yep.
And that is what the “don’t make’em up” crowd is saying.
- Jocko - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 9:48 am:
==if that’s what it takes to get kids in school.==
Ugh (banned word). Someone in Lori’s administration needs to teach her the importance of taking the high road.
- Montrose - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 9:52 am:
Listening to the current press conference, its now down to “I’m not going to call Sharkey. Sharkey has to call me.”
That pretty much sums up the entire contract negotiation process.
- Thomas Paine - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 9:53 am:
Lightfoot is the parent that yells “If you do not stop that right now I am going to ground you for the rest of your life,” and does not realize even three weeks later that was not a reasonable threat.
- Thomas Paine - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 9:56 am:
=== Listening to the current press conference, its now down to “I’m not going to call Sharkey. Sharkey has to call me.”
That pretty much sums up the entire contract negotiations.” ===
Wow. She would keep kids out of school over that?
- Double Dee - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 10:01 am:
— Someone in Lori’s administration needs to teach her the importance of taking the high road. —
I’m thinking that works both ways.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 10:08 am:
If Lightfoot agrees to this newest demand, what will CTU ask for next? They have a deal. The negotiations are over. No more moving the goal posts. Go back to work or lose your healthcare.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 10:15 am:
The only thing they seemed to agree to is that disagree how to make this a “win-win”
I’ve yet to see a less talented bunch of folks and more amateur group at the politics… than those currently occupying the 5th floor of City Hall.
That’s saying something.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 10:18 am:
Narrator: the Mayor still doesn’t have a city budget either.
If there’s a deal, it’s a deal. That’s how this works.
Otherwise, like - 47th Ward - said.
- Enviro - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 10:20 am:
Agree with Southwest Sider@6:52am==Lightfoot should accept the extensions. Settle this strike, let the CTU win that last point…==
Lightfoot admitted she could have started work on the teacher contract earlier. This might have avoided a strike.
- G'Kar - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 11:44 am:
==No sympathy here. Every other labor union risks their paychecks when going on strike. UAW members lost a month’s worth of wages for their GM strike.==
They also received a $11,000 ratification bonus that basically gives them back pay for the days they were on strike.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 11:52 am:
===Oh, so the teachers want to strike and still get their full pay, eh? Must be nice.===
GM workers got an $11,000 ratification bonus when they ended their strike, which basically covered pay for while they were out and then some. It’s not uncommon at all
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 11:54 am:
===I think this strike ends tonight. That health insurance issue is nothing to take lightly. A teacher friend I know told me that COBRA for her would be $1,900/month.===
Legally, CPS has to give 10-day written notice to teachers before terminating their insurance and going to COBRA. They haven’t done so yet, so teachers are not yet at risk of losing their health insurance
- City Zen - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 12:24 pm:
==They also received a $11,000 ratification bonus==
Paid for via the closure of 3 plants.
- Skeptic - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 12:28 pm:
My $0.02 worth: I was originally in the “don’t pay them for making up strike days” camp, but then I thought of a sports analogy. Let’s say baseball players get paid to play 162 games. Does it matter whether they play them 162 consecutive days or if they take a month off in July (for whatever reason)? They play 162 games either way. But I agree, if they want to be paid for 162 games and not play after November 1, that changes the equation.
- City Zen - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 12:49 pm:
==Does it matter whether they play them 162 consecutive days or if they take a month off in July (for whatever reason)?==
Yes. The MLBPA contract states a 162 game schedule will not be scheduled over a period of less than 182 days or more than 187 days.
- Dybalaton - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 1:08 pm:
O don’t think the days should be made up. The teachers had their strike. They got quite a bit of what they wanted. Let’s move on.
As a CPS parent, if they do make up days, make them Veterans, Pulaski, President, MLK, etc. Nothing happens in school during the month of June anyway. Prolonging kids watching videos seems pointless.
- Last Bull Moose - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 1:37 pm:
As a general rule I favor a longer school year and would pay teachers for the extra days. In this case, I would not extend the school year into late June. I doubt that much learning would occur in late June.
- Skeptic - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 1:39 pm:
“over a period of less than 182 days or more than 187 days” In other words, analogous to my “Nov 1.” scenario.
- Just Me 2 - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 2:03 pm:
I’m sorry, but anyone going to see the Mayor of the City of Chicago should wear a suit and tie, not a hoodie.
- AnotherAnon - Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 5:21 pm:
Sharkey has a role to play, and he is very bad at it. A red hoodie and a $1.5million house with a Tesla in the garage.
- 17% Solution - Friday, Nov 1, 19 @ 6:58 am:
Why all the comments on how hard it is to learn in June? A superstition like avoiding black cats? I guess if a black cat crosses your path in the month of June you have bad luck but can’t remember why?
June is a great month for learning, crisp 55 degree days and plenty of sunshine.