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* It looks like the CTU may have been “pulling a Madigan” at the bargaining table. Whenever the House Speaker wants to slow talks down or sabotage them, he sends lots of people into the room…

Lightfoot also complained that a 40-person CTU bargaining team is “unwieldy” and means CTU cannot “get back to us more quickly” on city proposals.

“I applaud them for their democracy, but that’s coming at a real cost, and the pace of this thing has to be accelerated,” Lightfoot said.

The mayor may have received her wish, because the union said Monday night that it wouldn’t have its whole bargaining team show up Tuesday if no progress would be made. Instead, the union said only its four officers would be at the table until things started moving in the right direction again.

That could be a positive sign.

* But then the mayor said this today…

She was also critical of CTU’s decision to not bring their full bargaining team to the table Tuesday.

“It’s unfortunate that the larger bargaining team has decided that they’re going to take the day off,” said Lightfoot. “There should be a sense of urgency all the way around.”

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Also, no mention in the piece that this was a complete flip-flop from yesterday.

One thing’s for sure, I do not believe Mayor Lightfoot wants this strike to spill over into the veto session. The Democratic super-majority generally favors teachers unions and she has some big asks.

* Related…

* What are CPS and the CTU fighting over?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 1:30 pm

Comments

Time for an analogy post:

Lori Lightfoot:Mayoring ::
Mitchell Trubisky:Quarterbacking

Comment by tildef Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 1:38 pm
CTU could be skating on some thin ice here too. Working Parents are under enormous pressure to find and fund care during a strike. Mayor Lightfoot is smart to be speaking in public daily.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 1:39 pm
=== Mayor Lightfoot is smart to be speaking in public daily.===

… and yet, turning on allies continually has found this mayor at odds with Springfield, and fewer ways to appeal to this governor for “help”

But, by all means, continue the public stuff, Mayor Lightfoot is talented at speaking publicly to hurt herself by now.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 1:41 pm
To quote the bard,
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks”

Comment by SpfdNewb Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 1:42 pm
I was a big supporter of Lori early in the campaign. I was with the 75% who voted for her. But man this learning curve thing isn’t working out too well so far. This strike is not her fault and it’s hard to know what she could do to end it. But in every other way, she’s really having huge challenges. I keep waiting for her to figure out how to do the job. I’m still waiting and now I’m getting worried. We all need her to be successful.

Comment by DD Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 1:48 pm
“Lightfoot is large, she contains multitudes.” — Walt Whitman (attributed)

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 1:51 pm
=== I do not believe Mayor Lightfoot wants this strike to spill over into the veto session. ===

=== Mayor Lightfoot is smart to be speaking in public daily. ===

Her actions and the results say otherwise. Lightfoot is not at the negotiating table for a reason. Her letter to the union accusing the picketers of placing students in jeopardy and suggesting they leave the picket line personally injected her into the negotiations. Return dates are subject to negotiation. And she further insulted teachers.

If her goal is to bring the strike to an end, she isn’t just doing a lousy job, she is doing the opposite of what she should be doing. And frankly, I think the letter yesterday destroyed any hope of a veto session lifeline for CPS. It looks like she is holding teachers and students hostage to get money out of Springfield, and that is not going to play well.

Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 1:56 pm
=== The average salary of a teacher in Houston is $62K===

Narrator: Mayor Lightfoot is Mayor of Chicago.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 1:56 pm
==The average salary of a teacher in Houston is $62K==

Bet they’re rooting for the Astros.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 1:58 pm
== mayor at odds with Springfield==

That puts her in the company of most mayors in the state. She’s trying to work within the constraints of the money available. That’s refreshing actually. A more expensive broken system isn’t the solution.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 1:58 pm
===She’s trying to work within the constraints of the money available===

And she’s booking 20 years of savings ($200 million) in one fiscal year.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:00 pm
=== That puts her in the company of most mayors in the state.===

Really? Who?

How many right now are in the middle of a teacher strike and have no budget…AND… can’t find a way to fill a $838 million dollar hole.

Who are these mayors you speak?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:01 pm
=== That’s refreshing actually. A more expensive broken system isn’t the solution.===

She’s kicking the can down the road…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:02 pm
=== There is no money. It really can’t be any simpler than that.===

Like it or not, property taxes were kept lower by both Daley and Rahm.

We’ll see how funds will be acquired.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:08 pm
MrJM

That is clearly untrue.

Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:08 pm
==And she’s booking 20 years of savings ($200 million) in one fiscal year.==

Yep. And still coming up short. Ugh.
OW,
Most Mayors don’t deal exclusively with one behemoth school district. They span munis. Go to a few village or city meetings, or watch them online. There are few Mayors who have any love for Springfield. Very few.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:12 pm
The CTU rhyming chants don’t have nearly the same effect with a smaller bargaining unit

Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:12 pm
A 40 person bargaining team for a unit that size is actually not that large at all.

Comment by Anoni Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:12 pm
=== There are few Mayors===

Example?

You’re watching *all* these towns and *all* these meetings.

=== Very few.===

It should be easy then.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:14 pm
I know two members of what the CTU calls the “big” bargaining team. Both have deep knowledge of special education issues in multiple schools, one is a school counselor who has also been a special education case manager, the other member is a special education teacher. They helped formulate CTU contract demands in the area of special education. Overall they are much more knowledgeable about special education issues than will be CTU lawyers or even President Sharkey. Mayor Lightfoot wants to stream line the contract discussions and avoid many details which the members of the big bargaining team want flushed out in relation to the realities of schools. It is not an attempt to just delay a deal from getting done, its an attempt by the members of the union to get a good deal for their fellow members.

Comment by Rod Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:17 pm
===Mayor Lightfoot wants to stream line the contract discussions and avoid many details which the members of the big bargaining team want flushed out===

Yesterday, yes. Today, no. I just don’t get this.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:18 pm
Lightfoot’s budget address is tomorrow. Don’t expect that its contents are going to win over the public to her side. That probably helps CTU.

Comment by Moe Berg Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:21 pm
Willy, I’ll save you some time. Just go to an IML Meeting. A lot of Mayors attend. Invite the ones who love Springfield to your hospitality suite. Oughta cost you $20 in beer. $10 if Landek doesn’t show.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:25 pm
- A guy -

So, again, you can’t name anyone.

Good times.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:27 pm
==So, again, you can’t name anyone.==

Can’t name any mayor that loves Springfield, correct. Now you’re just arguing to argue. Munis can’t stand the GA for all the unfunded mandates they get. Just ask.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:30 pm
Comparing Houston to Chicago is comparing donuts to apples.

Texas has some of the lowest teacher salaries in the country thanks not only to laws that make teacher strikes illegal but also threaten teachers with loss of their pension benefits and their teacher certificate for participating in any organized work stoppage, slowdown or demonstration.

Texas also has some of the highest illiteracy rates in the country, highest poverty rates in the country, and highest teacher shortages in the country, short around 30,000 teachers statewide.

Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:30 pm
- A guy -

Nah.

Your phony “I know” yet can’t name one thing or your ask of looking at “alternative facts”…

We’re talking about the mayor of Chicago.

First you’re all about “other mayors”

Then you’re all about “well, no other town has what Chicago has”

If no other town is like Chicago, why bring other mayors into this?

That’s right, your schtick is the same as the racist POTUS you support… “Everyone knows… “

Make an argument that isn’t phony or you need alternative facts or “everybody” siding with you.

Lightfoot is hurting herself. She speaks when quiet is better, she attacks when allies are needed…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:36 pm
What should a starting teacher’s salary in Chicago be? I’m not being snarky.

Comment by Anon E Moose Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:37 pm
The current starting salary for a CPS teacher is higher than Chicago’s median household income. Seems like a fine starting rate.

Where does CTU think the money for all their desires will come from? The city and CPS can’t hardly balance their budgets now?

Comment by Dybalaton Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:39 pm
Thomas Paine -

-highest poverty rates in the country-

You must be confusing California with Texas.

Comment by Steve Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:47 pm
Negotiations were reportedly making progress and then Lightfoot did her letter, which doesn’t work and makes it seem like she’s shaming the CTU. She has some learning to do. Don’t blindside negotiations, the governor or the GA.

This bargaining session is a big deal, with teachers fighting to get quality schools with nurses, librarians and other staff. Try to do it right.

“Texas has some of the lowest teacher salaries in the country”

Right wingers are always wanting to make us into lower-income states, often much lower income.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:50 pm
== Texas also has some of the highest illiteracy rates in the country, highest poverty rates in the country, and highest teacher shortages in the country, short around 30,000 teachers statewide.==

Well yeah, but on the other hand, Texas does produce a lot of border patrol cosplayers, trust fund babies and Cowboys fans. It’s all about priorities, Mr. Paine.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:54 pm
Grandson, there is no money. CPS isn’t even fully funding its pensions now. Those payments will be increasing exponentially in the coming years. The Mayor is being reasonable, the CTU isn’t.

Comment by Dybalaton Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:56 pm
Steve, you are correct. According the the supplemental poverty measure published by the Feds, which adjusts poverty rates for cost of living, California has a poverty rate of 18.1% and Texas rate is 14.2%.

Comment by Dybalaton Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 2:57 pm
==Lightfoot is hurting herself. She speaks when quiet is better, she attacks when allies are needed…==

She’s just not as smart as you. No one is. Just ask you.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 3:02 pm
=== She’s just not as smart as you.===

I’m a low bar for smart, ask around.

Right now her choices seem to say she has no partners to further her wants, so… observing her status in this seems to say “bad choices”.

Unless you think things are going well… lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 3:06 pm
Give CTU everything they want, then re-amortize the contract. It’s all the rage ’round these parts.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 3:10 pm
“Grandson, there is no money.”

Bet you said that also to Trump and Republicans, who slashed taxes on corporations and the rich, with our massive federal deficits and debt. I’m sure you said that also about the debt and damage Rauner piled up, starving the state of revenue and waging war on unions while his income skyrocketed to hundreds of millions of dollars.

California has higher median incomes than all the states right wingers want us to be.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 3:12 pm
Lightfoot needs to generate revenue/cuts amounting to ~2b over her first term (.8B this year, another 1.2B in pension ramp by 2023), and she’s also stating that CTU’s asks are going to cost 2.5B. Current prop tax levy for Chicago is ~6.7B. Add in requests for things like reopened mental health clinics and she’s looking at needing to find ~5B in new funding/cuts in her first term. Might be most palatable to Chicago residents to do a massive property tax increase (i.e. double it) and raise the homeowner exemption significantly to try to shift the burden to the north siders, especially those in Lincoln Park/Gold Coast.

Comment by mastershake Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 3:18 pm
Grandson, CPS funding was not cut by the Feds. Trump’s tax cuts have nothing to do with CPS budget problems.

Comment by Dybalaton Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 3:54 pm
She thinks 40 is large and unwieldy? There have been larger and they’ve done just fine. It’s called democracy. Members elect reps to bargain in their stead. Then they vote the contract up or down. What takes long is when management comes in, says little, then leaves, and caucuses for hours.

Comment by union proud Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 4:33 pm
Masterstroke, if the $5 billion is anywhere near correct, these wishes will obviously never happen. Scary stuff though.

Comment by Dybalaton Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 4:37 pm
MLL wants the bargaining team to be narrowed. CTU isn’t saying the team is smaller, they’re saying that the team isn’t going to be available until MLL is ready to deal. Maybe that’s just face-saving, but on its face (no pun intended), I don’t think there’s a contradiction here by MLL.

Comment by GC Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 4:55 pm
Sen. Warren was supporting the strikers today. Good. She wants to raise taxes on the super-rich, as does Bernie. We have embarrassing and damaging income disparity, not like leading economic countries. We need to fund education the right way, by having schools fully prepared to help advance our kids.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 5:55 pm
Is Senator Warren going to be paying for CPS funding? Or is this just more pandering with no real solutions?

Comment by Dybalaton Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 6:15 pm
“Is Senator Warren going to be paying for CPS funding? Or is this just more pandering with no real solutions?”

Her wealth tax, 2% on people whose net worths are over $50 million, would help fund public education. It’s a pretty modest tax that may generate nearly a half a trillion dollars over a decade—so much better than the Trump tax cuts that mostly benefit billionaire corporate donors and those who need help the least.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 6:35 pm
Is she President? Does she have a Congress that will vote for a “wealth” tax? Senator Warren can’t do anything to help CPS budget issues but she can sure pander.

Comment by Dybalaton Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 6:51 pm
- Dybalaton -

Of course Warren is pandering, she’s running for President.

Your point?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 6:53 pm
The point is the Senator Warren will do nothing for striking CTU teachers. Grandson need to realize that.

Comment by Dybalaton Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 7:10 pm
=== Grandson need to===

According to you?

(Sigh)

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 7:12 pm
We can get more federal money to help CPS, but Trump and Republicans are shoveling more than a trillion dollars in tax cuts *that we don’t have* (see deficits and debt) mainly to those who need it the least. Moscow Mitch would rather perish a thousand times over than raise revenue from the richest to help our schools.

Who is angry at what teachers are striking for, for financial reasons, and who says nothing about, and even supports, giving away massive tax cuts when we have gigantic deficits and debt, let alone schools that could be funded better?

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 7:24 pm
Its my opinion that we are spending too much money on K-12. Higher ed as well. Howeber, its hard to negotiate when children are the chips.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 8:33 pm
Sorry to miss this discussion today!

The Big bargaining team has been around since this leadership team took over. While a bit unusual, Big Bargaining teams are not unheard of. The idea is - the officers are at the table; the Big team sits quietly on the outskirts, observes and listens, takes notes for later discussion. The Big team represents major groups - Early childhood, HS Science, Sped, Teachers’ aides, school clerks, elementary, middle school, PE, etc. they’re there w specific expertise, if needed.

CTU has attempted to keep this civil, not wanting a relationship w a new mayor to go south. Members at rallies and picket lines have been encouraged to be respectful of LL.

Much of what CPS teachers need to do their jobs, are off the table for negotiations because of the 1995 School Reform act, which gutted their CB Rights. Staffing levels, class size, scheduling, assessments, and outsourcing can all be negotiated in the suburbs and downstate. And those districts and schools are stable compared to CPS. There is buy in and ownership on the part of teachers. They had input!

Not to mention that school boards are accountable to the voters. To whom is the CPS board accountable?

In terms of money, $2.3 billion in TIF funds in Chicago taxpayer money went into private developments.

But CPS students can’t have art or music teachers?

So.

Comment by Ashland Adam Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 10:11 pm