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*** UPDATED x1 *** Pressure intensifies on both sides as legislators stand with CTU

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• Illinois
• Updated Posts

* The union is preparing for civil disobedience…

* Matt Masterson at WTTW…

The Chicago Teachers Union and city negotiators have reached more than 80 tentative agreements on various issues as of Wednesday night, according to CPS Chief Education Officer LaTanya McDade. But the district is still waiting on counter proposals from the union on “top priorities” like class sizes, staffing and prep time. […]

Already the school district has postponed PSAT and SAT assessments until next week. If students aren’t able to take the PSAT before Nov. 1, they may miss out on applying for National Merit Scholarships, McDade said. […]

Speaking at a separate event Thursday morning, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she’s concerned about students planning to apply for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the end of this month. […]

But the union says the two sides have gotten “nowhere” on enforcement language for capping class sizes or setting staffing levels.”

* Sun-Times…

[CPS Chief Education Officer LaTanya McDade] said the district is waiting for counterproposals from the CTU team on class size and staffing levels — two major sticking points. If those are favorable, McDade said, “We can get some real strong movement.”

* Mitch Dudek and Matthew Hendrickson at the Sun-Times…

As the days without pay add up for striking teachers, security guards and other school workers, many say they are starting to feel the pinch in their pocketbooks. […]

What’s more, Chicago Public Schools could stop contributing to teachers’ health insurance premiums as early as next week when the month ends.

* The CTU and SEIU represent more than 30,000 CPS employees, so 400 crossing the picket lines would be 1.3 percent…

Not much.

* State representative from Chicago…

* Several Chicago legislators including House Majority Leader Greg Harris are openly supporting the striking workers, which could be problematic for CPS and the city if this strike lasts until veto session…

* At least three state legislators spoke at this rally yesterday. Sen. Ram Villivalam, Sen. Robert Peters and Rep. Delia Ramirez…

Click here for a longish thread on the contract negotiations by Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago).

*** UPDATE *** Hmm…

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 11:54 am

Comments

1. I’m curious where they’ll implement the civil disobedience tactics. If it’s anything aimed at the public, like trying to slow down traffic or trains, it could backfire.

   Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:01 pm

2. Here’s the rub;

   Civil disobedience is the line some parents and supported won’t *want* crossed, and the Mayor and her Crew are using a Raunerite thought of getting voters against unions to impose the Raunerite (in this case, Lightfoot’s want of a deal) want.

   Goodwill is helping the teachers.

   Athletic scholarships, heartbreaking college stories for seniors, they add up over a time.

   You can be principled and think you’re “right” and be steadfast, but you’re only as strong as the support you get outside your group.

   We’ll see.

   Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:07 pm

3. Serves CTU right. Sharkey dove in head first into the shallow end of the pool trying to embarrass perhaps the most liberal mayor in the Country for not doing enough for minorities. LOL. Since when is CTU suddenly concerned with the homeless. This strike occurred for one reason only- Lightfoot trounced Preckwinkel. Hope the strike goes on long enough for the CRU members to lose the health insurance benefits- maybe then Sharkey will work toward a settlement

   Comment by Sue Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:07 pm

4. Civil Disobedience? Good luck with that guys. Want to lose public support more quickly? Do that.

   Driving to work this morning and passing several groups of teachers, there were far fewer motorists honking with the teachers than there were on Monday. Not a scientific survey, but it was quite striking today.

   Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:13 pm

5. @Sue

   Believe it or not, Sharkey’s voice is the softest in this roll of quarter-filled pillow case fight. There are CTU people yelling hard, loud, and a lot of times, don’t even make an iota of sense. Gates, Chambers and some guy named Kenzo. They’ve gone scorched earth.

   Comment by BR91 Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:13 pm

6. Ah, missing a game or 2 will not prevent football players from being offered scholarships. College coaches and rating services know who they are.

   Comment by Pick a Name Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:15 pm

7. re on the longish thread, CPD and CPS are in two different pots of money.

   Comment by Amalia Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:18 pm

8. Lori can’t continue to act like Rauner unless she wants to be a one term Mayor.

   Comment by Jimbo26 Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:18 pm

9. It’s sound like the CTU doesn’t feel that their persuasive eloquence can win them the deal they want with former law partner Lori Lightfoot. Bringing up Jim Crow and the Vietnam War is quite odd .

   Comment by Steve Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:22 pm

10. “The Chicago Teachers Union and city negotiators have reached more than 80 tentative agreements on various issues as of Wednesday night”

    Hoping this continues and they come to a deal as soon as possible.

    This speaks to the larger problem of priorities and revenue, all the way to the federal level. If we can shovel out a trillion-plus dollars in federal tax cuts, over time, that were pressed by super-rich right wing donors and that mostly benefit the richest, we should have no problem raising revenue and striving for better public education funding, so there are more nurses, librarians and support staff. Kids deserve and need the help, not already-billionaires, both corporations and individuals.

    Teachers, both here and elsewhere, should have stark choices in the 2020 elections.

    Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:24 pm

11. The picket line in front of CPS HQ this morning was noticably small. There were almost no honking motorists as the protesters signs requested. The few honks were from CTA buses. Not a surprise.

    Comment by KJLewis Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:26 pm

12. I thought Dr. Manhattan stopped the Vietnam War?

    Comment by City Zen Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:27 pm

13. Just wondering if any CPS schools are wasting money on billboards like E St. Louis.

    Comment by Blue Dog Dem Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:27 pm

14. Just remember it was Democrat’s who changed the law a few years ago and allowed the CTU to hold students hostage. If you want to support teacher fine, but please don’t say you’re doing this for the children.

    Comment by Downstate Illinois Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:36 pm

15. Very nice of Rep. Harris to support the striking teachers. Has he done anything to help other than tweet?

    Comment by KJLewis Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:38 pm

16. CPS Picket was 200 people today. It was great to have the Chicago Policeman’s support - who complained about Chicago Police officers’ working without a contract for two years. The public was also supportive. commuters getting on and off the buses, cheering as they walked by. Many cars, buses and trucks honking. And then there are the dozen or more anonymous Chicagoans, on their way to work, who dropped off $50 gift cards and said - “Go buy yourselves coffee,” or the others who actually dropped off donuts, cookies, coffee. All those union members on the picket line at CPS knows why they’re there…and why they’re staying there, no matter what, until there’s a contract in writing.

    Its been a surprise to read these comments, and realize that readers think this strike is connected to the mayoral election. That is not the case. CPS working conditions are miserable. Teachers would be out here - probably - whether Lori or Toni were on the 5th floor of city hall. A difference - Toni has negotiated contracts with her workforce, worked respectfully behind the scenes to get support from Springfield, and not blind sided the Governor or legislative leaders.

    Nice also to have the support of 23 (at last count) of city legislators and a majority of aldermen.

    Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:47 pm

17. Per the article Rep. Buckner posted:
    ————–
    “I just wish there was a way for people to understand what these kids are going through,” [Simeon Career Academy coach] Culbreath said. “They work so hard. It’s unfortunate there isn’t anyway to make [an] exception.”
    ————–
    No thank you to exceptions. While the CTU is brining important issues to the table, they are also very aware of the consequences a strike will bring to both curricular and extracurricular activities and extracurricular shouldn’t receive exceptions. If it’s important enough to call off school, its important enough to call off extracurricular activities and the related consequences.

    Comment by Just Sayin' Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:47 pm

18. **Just remember it was Democrat’s who changed the law a few years ago and allowed the CTU to hold students hostage. If you want to support teacher fine, but please don’t say you’re doing this for the children.**

    Huh? The law that changed a few years ago made it HARDER to strike. And it was bipartisan.

    Comment by JoeMaddon Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:49 pm

19. ==Speaking at a separate event Thursday morning, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said==

    Ugh. Someone needs to tell Lori that every photo op (and worse, every statement) makes it appear like she’s not taking this seriously.

    Comment by Jocko Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:53 pm

20. Rep. Harris votes for bills supported or initiated by CTU, and the two big statewide teachers’ unions. He has done this for years.

    Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:54 pm

21. While civil disobedience is a well-established tactic for applying pressure, very publicly preparing for civil disobedience is also a well-established tactic for applying pressure.

    While we may eventually see both, we shouldn’t mistake one for the other.

    – MrJM

    Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:55 pm

22. This entire fiasco is the result of a small portion of the CTU wanting to play revolutionary. Nothing about this is grounded in reality.

    I read Guzzardi’s tweets. Isn’t he supposed to be one of the “smart” legislators? God help us.

    Comment by JoeGirardi Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 12:58 pm

23. What would the civil disobedience entail? It seems as though whatever help Rep. Harris got the CTU, it wasn’t enough. Maybe he should try a bit harder?

    Comment by KJLewis Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:00 pm

24. I find it hard to believe that teachers, at least more than a handful, would actually engage in civil disobedience (which usually entails conduct that can be charged criminally - trespassing, etc).

    Comment by anon Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:02 pm

25. We know this is a very football-centric audience, but there 3 or 4 soccer teams getting screwed too. Seems like CTU could have set a walk out date to recognize these dates.

    Comment by Annonin Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:04 pm

26. - anon -

    The CTU has not much to fear on civil disobedience: Kim Foxx is the one who would bring cases.

    Comment by Steve Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:05 pm

27. Will Guzzardi is a huge hypocrite. He grew up in a wealthy family that took full advantage of NYCs rent control laws. Keeping those that could have actually truly benefited from it from having a rent controlled apartment.

    Comment by KJLewis Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:07 pm

28. ===Kim Foxx is the one who would bring cases===

    The vast majority of those cases are routinely dismissed, whomever the state’s attorney is.

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:09 pm

29. The only reason to use civil disobedience is that it works. People have a low pain tolerance these days. They don’t care what the issue is, just make it go away. Fast. The CTU is counting on it, along with lots of media coverage.

    As for anonymous donors passing out $50 gift cards to striking teachers, that’s something I’d have to see with my own eyes to believe.

    Hey Grandson, you do realize that your relentless hatred of the wealthy does nothing but put your own health at risk, right? They don’t care what you think. Do yourself a favor, breathe deep and let it go.

    Comment by SSL Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:32 pm

30. I have to agree with Chicago Cynic. I was waiting for a blue line train Monday on the Kennedy. CTU protesters with signs on both sides of the bridge. Very few honks.

    Comment by Original Rambler Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:40 pm

31. === As for anonymous donors passing out $50 gift cards to striking teachers, that’s something I’d have to see with my own eyes to believe.===

    Can confirm. My wife was one of the people passing them out

    Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:43 pm

32. === the result of a small portion of the CTU wanting to play revolutionary ===

    1. The strike vote was 95% to 5% across 25,000 teachers.

    2. There is nothing remotely revolutionary about smaller school nurses, librarians, social workers, or smaller class sizes. No parent says “I wish my school didnt have a librarian.”

    Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:44 pm

33. SSL - Average people dropping off gift cards has occurred twice outside CPS HQ, 42 W Madison, in the last few days.

    Why not join the city wide school clinicians tomorrow morning at 6:30 am? You can interact with the school nurses, counselors, occupational and physical therapists, and school psychologists. You can ask them yourself about conditions in their schools, whether or not they have the resources they need to serve their students.

    Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:45 pm

34. I can confirm that very few $50 gift cards have been given. Maybe it was in one location. It by no means widespread.

    Comment by KJLewis Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:46 pm

35. Mayor Lightfoot now calls it - ‘Bailing Out Schools,’ but as a candidate…..

    Mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot’s education platform looks an awful lot like what CTU negotiators are requesting Check for yourself, from Lightfoot for Chicago site: Lighhttps://lightfootforchicago.com/press-release-lightfoot-releases-education-policy/:

    Lightfoot’s education policy includes:

    Eradicating structural, racial, and other inequities
    Including communities and stakeholders in decisions regarding schools
    Bringing high quality elementary and high schools to every neighborhood
    Improving equity among children entering kindergarten
    Staffing schools with full time nurses, social workers, and librarians
    Ensuring kids receive trauma-informed instruction and mental health services
    Guaranteeing Chicagoans the opportunity to elect an independent school board
    Making CTA more accessible for qualifying CPS students
    Expanding career pathways for high school students
    Growing the Community School Initiative
    Paving pathways to college and careers for high school students
    Recruiting, developing, and retaining highly effective and diverse CPS teachers
    Giving all students access to after school programs and experiences
    Supporting diverse learners with the resources they need to learn and succeed
    Creating accountability in CPS’ central offic

    Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:49 pm

36. The one thing I keep waiting for is $$ cost on CTU proposals. Has anyone seen that anywhere?

    Comment by Former Bartender Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:53 pm

37. Ashland, I’m sure the conditions in Chicago schools are very challenging. They weren’t great many years ago when I was a student. Both parties in this battle are trying to do the best they can for all their constituents. Welcome to urban decay.

    Comment by SSL Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:53 pm

38. ==The CTU and SEIU represent more than 30,000 CPS employees, so 400 crossing the picket lines would be 1.3 percent==

    That’s over 20% of those who voted not to strike. I’m surprised it’s even that high.

    Comment by City Zen Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 1:56 pm

39. Here is another rub OW some things can be very different here in Chicago. There are actually two CPS high schools that exist today largely because of civil disobedience actions on the part of community members and parents. One is Benito Juarez Community Academy which the CPS Board approved only due to protests and boycotts from many Mexican students and families back in 1974. The second high school Little Village Lawndale High School was founded only after residents of the Little Village neighborhood staged a nineteen-day hunger strike and site occupation demanding the construction of a new high school in 2001. There is a older history in relationship to education and militant struggle in Chicago, including the Chicago Public School Boycott, when 200,000 African American students their parents support illegally stayed out of school and demonstrated against the segregationist policies of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) on October 22, 1963. In fact this action inspired Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s move to Chicago several years later in 1966. In the events leading up to the full boycott in 1963 then-college student Bernie Sanders was arrested while protesting the policies of Superintendent Willis. I was a CPS student in 1963 and there was not one Black teacher in my school on the North side. In 1964 Black teachers began to be hired in significant numbers by CPS and were also allowed to work in North side schools. This is the tradition CTU is speaking to I think.

    Comment by Rod Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:00 pm

40. - Rod -

    The last time you tried to “teach” me about CPS you used the name of the Rauner daughter, and you were “cool” with Rauner clouting his denied Winnetka-living daughter into Payton Prep.

    Classless as that was, I’ll pass on your lesson.

    Why? Anyone who’s cool with clout for someone getting to Payton Prep, especially after all the fallout of the college admission scandal, you can stop trying to seem thoughtful to me.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:06 pm

41. ==$50 gift cards==

    I hope those gift cards are for places paying a living wage.

    Comment by City Zen Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:10 pm

42. “Gift cards? That’s my go-to move, for other reasons, but it’s my move all the same”

    - Bruce Rauner, maybe.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:11 pm

43. KJ - what do you mean - “I can confirm that very few $50 gift cards have been given. Maybe it was in one location. It by no means widespread.”

    How can you confirm that? Kind of a silly statement. Of course its a rare occurrence.

    The point is - there’s lots of support for change in CPS, and that’s what educators, parents and Chicagoans voted for several years ago when - in 37 wards, by percentages between 83-94%, they voted in a non-binding referendum in favor of an elected school board.

    So - while gift cards on the picket line are rare - support for educators and public education is not.

    Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:30 pm

44. == could be problematic for CPS and the city if this strike lasts until veto session ==

    Yep. CTU can easily pull several votes off the mayor’s casino and real estate tax bills. It would be interesting to poll Chicago GA members and find out who they fear crossing more, the mayor or CTU?

    Comment by Roman Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:31 pm

45. https://news.wttw.com/2015/02/25/voters-support-elected-school-board

    Voters support elected school board.

    Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:31 pm

46. === CTU can easily pull several votes off the mayor’s casino and real estate tax bills. It would be interesting to poll Chicago GA members and find out who they fear crossing more, the mayor or CTU?===

    Raunerite politics by both sides here.

    Blocking something instead of trying to find votes, quitters, or should I say, those who fail even at quitting, try this for “leverage”.

    The Mayor’s Crew, If I were they I’d work the Dem caucus. Be a team player, not allow CTU to go full Rauner, also stop threatening on the progressive tax issue too.

    Do the doable, CTU, Lightfoot’s Crew. Don’t gum up the works in Veto,

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:35 pm

47. My position on former Governor Rauner’s daughter remains the same and if we go back in time I argued that numerous wealthy and politically students attended Payton which was a remains true to this day. Given the college admissions scandals in the news Governor Rauner looks like a saint in comparison for using his clout. I am sure Governor Rauner’s daughter has done well, most Payton grads do, one of my own daughters is a grad and is now a professor at Colorado State. Payton is a very selective school and it graduates very well prepared students.

    Comment by Rod Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:37 pm

48. - Rod -

    You’re classless when it comes to CPS. Engage with someone else.

    Thanks

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:38 pm

49. Rod - one more CPS HS exists today that wouldn’t, if not for civil disobedience, - Dyett HS in Washington Park.

    From The Chicago Reporter, Sept. 1 2016:
    Video: One year after hunger strike, Dyett High School opens

    https://www.chicagoreporter.com/video-one-year-after-hunger-strike-dyett-high-school-opens/

    Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:39 pm

50. Ashland- reason CTU and their cohorts want an elected school board is that CTU could devote the resources to hand pick the Board. Most taxpayers wouldn’t pay attention. So you would end up with a union dominated board negotiating with CTU. Yea that would work out really well for Chicago. No surprise that it’s the Blue states on life support while the red states are fiscally in much much better shape.

    Comment by Sue Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:39 pm

51. - Rod -

    Tell that to the students denied by a denied Winnetka-living student taking the slot from them.

    Classless then, classless now. Teach someone else.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:40 pm

52. While she’s working the legislature for a casino bill fix and a graduated real estate transfer tax, the Mayor might want to also ask for a veto session increase in the property tax rate cap for the Chicago Public Schools. Then she could let the taxpayers fund all her education-related campaign promises.

    Comment by James Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:45 pm

53. ==So you would end up with a union dominated board negotiating with CTU==

    But they can’t print money.

    I say give CTU board control. It’s not like the current regime is tearing it up. And if it goes down in flames, then they get the blame.

    Comment by City Zen Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:48 pm

54. Tells you just about everything you need to know about our sorry state….

    Legislators standing with an insular group of preferred tax eaters — who make campaign contributions — against the taxpayers who fund it all.

    Comment by DougChicago Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:51 pm

55. City Zen- kind of irresponsible- yea what the hell if the Union destroys the school system at least they tried🤪🤪

    Comment by Sue Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:51 pm

56. === tax eaters===

    Teachers are tax payers too

    This ain’t Facebook.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:52 pm

57. Who won in LA? Not teachers unions.

    https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-edu-school-election-20170516-story.html

    LA Times: Charter backers win their first L.A. school board majority. May, 2017

    Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:53 pm

58. Rather then criticize Lightfoot- actually think she is doing a good job with these negotiations. Unlike JB who immediately thanked his union supporters with expensive contracts- Lightfoot is trying to thread the needle with an offer that affords decent increases but retains control over future expenses

    Comment by Sue Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:54 pm

59. === Rather then criticize Lightfoot- actually think she is doing a good job with these negotiations.===

    Jury is out, maybe.

    See me after the deal is done and how many days it took.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:57 pm

60. OW

    No doubt teachers are taxpayers. No doubt they do real work in the real world. But, their salaries come from the taxpayers.

    Comment by Steve Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:57 pm

61. I don’t support the teachers strike anymore.

    Good luck.

    Comment by NEIU GRAD Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:58 pm

62. === But, their salaries come from the taxpayers===

    Argue like an adult;

    Who will teach for free?

    Who will pay for teachers?

    Robots right now aren’t an option.

    (Sigh)

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 2:59 pm

63. ==their salaries come from the taxpayers==

    Here we go again…

    You get it. I get it. The outside world gets it. Just let it slide.

    Comment by City Zen Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:02 pm

64. Sue, I’m not sure who is criticizing the Mayor in this conversation.

    CTU members at least teachers and clinicians - are less concerned with their own pay than they are with conditions in the buildings. Like - class size, destructive outsourcing (Sodexo- Aramark), scheduling, staffing. These are the things CTU is not allowed to negotiate, that every other school district in Illinois is allowed to bargain.

    On the other hand - CTU members ARE concerned about pay and benefits for average teachers aides (who are the backbone of schools).

    Let’s let Willie Cousins explain what teachers’ aides situation is…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGAU-_LqunA

    Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:04 pm

65. === You get it. I get it. The outside world gets it. Just let it slide.===

    Where is your free robot teacher army?

    Otherwise, how ya gonna provide PUBLIC education.

    I’m pretty sure i read that’s something the state is tasked with… I read it somewhere…

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:04 pm

66. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGAU-_LqunA

    Oops - here it is.

    Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:05 pm

67. OW

    No one is suggesting they work for free. They have marketable , valuable skills. It’s just at a certain point, in a declining district they become rent-seekers that attempting to do a wealth transfer via collective bargaining .

    Comment by Steve Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:15 pm

68. ==The one thing I keep waiting for is $$ cost on CTU proposals. Has anyone seen that anywhere?===

    I don’t think Susanh is done making up numbers for her pension “analysis” yet.

    Comment by Simple Simon Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:15 pm

69. === They have marketable , valuable skills. It’s just at a certain point, in a declining district they become rent-seekers that attempting to do a wealth transfer via collective bargaining .===

    Can’t replace them with “ro-bits”

    This isn’t your dorm room.

    There’s a reason they collectively bargain. We’ll see how a deal comes together.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:17 pm

70. Yes, OW. I am well aware that teachers pay taxes. But your simple minded reasoning seems to suggest that every taxpayer then can make whatever claim they want against the public fisc: I’m a taxpayer and I want money. Obviously that is nonsensical but it is the only conclusion that flows from your insipid observation.

    When organized as a labor union and striking the teachers are not acting in their capacity as taxpayers but as vendors to the city. The city through its elected officials should negotiate the best deal they can for all of the people who pay the bills — not just those that give big political contributions.

    Comment by DpugChicago Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:18 pm

71. Why does that guy have 3 kids? Maybe he should look for a new job? That’s what people do when they don’t make enough money.

    Comment by Another song Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:18 pm

72. === that every taxpayer then can make whatever claim they want against the public fisc: I’m a taxpayer and I want money. Obviously that is nonsensical but it is the only conclusion that flows from your insipid observation.===

    I’m not a teacher, I’m not collectively bargaining and “taxpayers” aren’t either.

    Argue like an adult.

    === When organized as a labor union and striking the teachers are not acting in their capacity as taxpayers but as vendors to the city.===

    … and yet, as taxpayers, that same contract effects them too.

    === The city through its elected officials should negotiate the best deal they can for all of the people who pay the bills ===

    … including teachers who pay taxes, live in Chicago and understand their own contract effects them too===

    You can’t dictate who is a taxpayer, when, and how.

    Well, you can, but even in your dorm room you’ll need a great deal of Mary Jane… when it’s legal,

    Now, where did I read the state requires public education, thus needing teachers… I know i read it somewhere.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:23 pm

73. There are 30,000 or so teachers out of about 1.3 million employed people in Chicago. The vast majority of taxpayers are not being well represented.

    Comment by Another song Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:26 pm

74. === The vast majority of taxpayers are not being well represented.===

    Who are the teachers bargaining with?

    Go take a nap.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:28 pm

75. The vast majority of taxpayers are not involved in the negotiation with CTU, unless I missed something.

    Comment by Another song Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:31 pm

76. === The vast majority of taxpayers are not involved in the negotiation with CTU, unless I missed something.===

    Are you arguing “the size of the table” the “shape of the table” or the “chairs around the table”

    Voters elected Lightfoot, Lightfoot has her school board and negotiators.

    Capiche?

    LOL

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:34 pm

77. Another song , Agreed.

    You weren’t being represented at all. The Chicago Board of education is appointed. The only school district in the state of Illinois, that cannot elected school board.

    Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:36 pm

78. Sorry, that was audio text. A few typos.

    Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:36 pm

79. === You weren’t being represented at all.===

    All those seats at the bargaining table empty?

    That would be news.

    Appointed by an elected official.

    What, “let’s have an elected school board before the strike can end” will be the next thing?

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:38 pm

80. Someone mentioned city referdum. Put the Board and CTU negoiated draft contract to referdum with details on how it’s being funded.

    Comment by Another song Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:44 pm

81. === Someone mentioned city referdum. Put the Board and CTU negoiated draft contract to referdum with details on how it’s being funded.===

    Now we’re gonna pay for an election too?

    You’re making this cost *more*, lol

    There was an election. Lightfoot won. It was in all the papers

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:46 pm

82. ===Someone mentioned city referdum. Put the Board and CTU negoiated draft contract to referdum with details on how it’s being funded.===

    How long will there be to campaign? Will there be ads? What about turnout?

    “Yeah, well, only 31% of the registered voters voted, so”

    This might need 2-3 dorm room hot pockets to make sense.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 3:48 pm

83. I realize this is going to come as a shock to many regular readers of John Kass, but under the law the primary mission of school districts is not to keep taxes low.

    The primary mission of school districts and their elected school board is to ensure that districts provide the necessary tools for kids to reach their fullest potential, obviously in a safe and nurturing environment. The only line in the school board oath regarding taxpayers is “serving as a faithful protector of the school district’s assets.” Notice it says district assets, not “taxpayerss’ wallets.”

    School board v. teachers is not a healthy dynamic. Picture Management v. Staff or Board v. Employees at any organization, public or private, and you see the problem clearly.

    Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 4:33 pm

84. Who will teach for free? LOL

    There is a 16% pay hike over 5 years on the table

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 5:17 pm

85. === There is a 16% pay hike over 5 years on the table===

    (Sigh)

    The question on the table was about taxpayers and paying the salaries, not the amount of those salaries.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 5:19 pm

86. Oh, OW. Take off your tinfoil hat and come out of your mother’s basement.

    No one suggests that teachers are not taxpayers. But they are a small portion of the taxpayers and while on strike and through their union they are acting as vendors.

    The call is for the elected officials of all the people who pay for things in the city — the mayor and the aldermen — to stand tall and get a deal the city can (sort of) afford.

    Comment by DougChicago Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 5:41 pm

87. === Take off your tinfoil hat… No one suggests that teachers are not taxpayers.===

    Hmm.

    === tax eaters — who make campaign contributions — against the taxpayers who fund it all.===

    Friend, if ya think making everyone “2 sides”, then saying “there isn’t two sides” maybe you should get some fresh air.

    You know what you typed. If they were taxpayers, according to you, then your ridiculousness would not have been typed.

    Oh, the parsing begins, lol

    === But they are a small portion of the taxpayers ===

    Can’t be a lil pregnant. You are a taxpayer or not, and since they are taxpayers, no matter your ridiculous measure, they all are, as everyone is.

    === through their union they are acting as vendors===

    … and yet, they still are taxpayers effected by the strike too. Keep up.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 5:51 pm

88. Five years from now, after teachers get the 16 percent pay hike that an independent arbitrator said was fair - not generous, but fair - the average Chicago public school teacher, with ten years experience and a master’s degree, will still earn less than the average Apple store manager. Although she will outpace Starbucks Managers most likely.

    Comment by Econ 401 Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 5:53 pm

89. Taxpayers don’t fund Apple and Starbucks employees salaries and benefits. Completely irrelevant, but not surprising of a CTU supporter.

    Comment by Another song Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 6:11 pm

90. 30,000 CTU taxpayers vs. 1,270,000 non CTU taxpayers.

    Comment by Another song Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 6:12 pm

91. This is a struggle between taxpayers and consumers of taxes.

    https://tinyurl.com/y3sdwrex

    Comment by Steve Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 6:13 pm

92. You guys shouldn’t fall for OW’s relentless introduction of strawmen to what could be provocative discussion. Just ignore his click-bait.

    Comment by Cadillac Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 6:46 pm

93. We are all taxpayers.

    Keep up.

    Dividing them is ridiculous

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 6:47 pm

94. === You guys shouldn’t fall for … relentless introduction of strawmen to what could be provocative discussion. Just ignore his click-bait.===

    Narrator: - Cadillac -‘s only comment today.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 6:52 pm

95. Not all taxpayers are treated equally in Chicago (and Illinois) though. And what should we keep up with? Your personal attacks?

    Comment by Another song Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 7:09 pm

96. === - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 6:47 pm:

    We are all taxpayers.

    Keep up.

    Dividing them is ridiculous ===

    Well I guess you will be voting against the Fair Tax Amendment, amirite?

    Wouldn’t want to divide the taxpayers. That would be ridiculous.

    Comment by Cadillac Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 7:23 pm

97. === Well I guess you will be voting against the Fair Tax Amendment, amirite?===

    I guess I would if a progressive income tax was this new idea in the history of the world.

    Even the GOP tax break in DC had, you guessed it, a progressive income tax. You know that, but trolling is fun for you, lol

    === Wouldn’t want to divide the taxpayers. That would be ridiculous.===

    Take that up with your congressman, get back to me.

    Oh… “everyone” there is a taxpayer too.

    :)

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 9:59 pm

98. At the end of the day, when you’re already swimming in pension debt, where’s the new money coming from?

    Comment by Shemp Thursday, Oct 24, 19 @ 11:38 pm

99. ==I thought Dr. Manhattan stopped the Vietnam War?==

    Can’t forget that. And it’s about as close to reality as CTU’s comparison of Lori Lightfoot to Richard Nixon, via their “Vietnam War” reference. Gotta give Sharkey credit, he’s about the only person in Chicago that could make me nostalgic for the Good Old Days of Karen Lewis.

    Comment by Stuntman Bob's Brother Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 2:30 am

100. == At the end of the day, when you’re already swimming in pension debt, where’s the new money coming from?==

     At the end of the day, when each murder costs 17 million dollars, where will the money come from to pay for these murders? How about stopping the murders? How do we stop murders? Stop the children from becoming murderers. Better schools, more social workers, more mental health support.
     Even if you don’t care if people suffer you might care about the money saved in the end.

     Comment by 17% Solution Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 6:54 am

101. Steve, Sue, et al
     are just salty because
     union solidarity
     collective bargaining
     direct action
     stand in the way
     of their privilege
     in skewing the government systems/process
     to give them
     More
     Privilege
     and justify their elitism.
     Fight on CTU

     Comment by Honeybear Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 9:28 am

102. OW is spot on today. The arguments against his statements fail to deal with the reality of taxpayers who are also being paid through taxation. CTU is well off the trail and deep in the weeds with their Social Justice Warrior demands (which are not subjects of bargaining per Illinois law), yet they rest on some bitter fundamental truths that the schools are dealing with the reality of underfunded social and health services daily, and teachers are trying to swim out of this societal quicksand while teaching. Furthermore, demanding more money from over-burdened taxpayers (which includes themselves) over the 16% original offer is simply unreasonable. CPS/City aren’t blameless by any stretch (incompetence/politics causing enough issues, and Lori is just a hot mess now), but the CTU is going to find itself losing support due to its extremism.

     Comment by revvedup Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 9:34 am

103. === Not all taxpayers are treated equally in Chicago (and Illinois) though. And what should we keep up with?===

     Be a teacher. Work for the city or state.

     No one is stopping you.

     Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 9:42 am

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