Chicago Teachers Set Strike Date

DeltaBetaBaby · #1 09-03-2012, 05:29 PM

Teachers in the Chicago schools are going on strike in seven days if a contract agreement will not be reached. There is a lot of misinformation being put out there right now, because the local media is extremely Rahm-friendly, but the teachers are afraid of huge class sizes (up to 55 kids), increased testing, and an increase of outsourcing educational functions to technology firms tied to King Emanuel.

Today, as we all enjoy our Labor Day holiday, I hope everyone will take a moment to educate themselves on all that unions have accomplished for every one of us, and, if you wish to form an opinion on the CPS strike, to seek out publications that tell both sides of the story.

I stand with Chicago teachers.

sigmagirl2000 · #2 09-03-2012, 05:42 PM

Apparently I shouldn't be appalled when I see a roster of 29 students.... wow. 55?

DeltaBetaBaby · #3 09-03-2012, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sigmagirl2000

Apparently I shouldn't be appalled when I see a roster of 29 students.... wow. 55?

Yes. State lawmakers have passed a law (at Rahm's urging) to say that can't be negotiated, along with a bunch of other things. So, the teachers are holding out in salary negotiations as their only lever to get that changed. It's being reported as "Chicago teachers demand 30% raise", but really, they want lawmakers to give them a fair deal, and salary is the only negotiation point they have.

sigmagirl2000 · #4 09-03-2012, 05:59 PM

Good luck to them! It's hard enough teaching a class of 20, let alone 55. By the time you finish babysitting, combating cell phones, etc. there won't be any time left for teaching. ....How on earth are the physical classrooms large enough to accommodate this? About 5 years ago I had a few classes of 32 and 33. I only had room for 28 desks in my room. Luckily at the HS level you CAN get by with having kids sit on the ledge in the back of the room. Definitely not ideal, but 55? that's insane. I'm only even thinking of high school. 55 1st graders would make me want to crawl into a corner and rock in the fetal position. That'd be a crazy amount of nose picking. Ewwwwwwww.

AGDee · #5 09-03-2012, 06:07 PM

I hope the Chicago teachers use social media to let the public know what the real issues are. It's a very powerful outlet that isn't dependent on news sources.

Cuts to education are leading to similar situations all over. My kids have been in classes of 40 kids in high school routinely as cuts keep getting deeper.

Michigan has a ballot proposal that might be on the ballot in November (it is tied up in courts right now) about keeping the right to collective bargaining. These are the kinds of reasons it is important.

Sciencewoman · #6 09-03-2012, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDee

Michigan has a ballot proposal that might be on the ballot in November (it is tied up in courts right now) about keeping the right to collective bargaining. These are the kinds of reasons it is important.

Absolutely. My husband gathered a lot of signatures for that petition, and the canvassing board voted along party lines (2-2) as to whether it could go on the ballot. I thought that they should be impartial, but apparently not. Now it's in the courts, but I think it will move forward. The Court of Appeals voted in favor...now it's at the Michigan Supreme Court.

Kevin · #7 09-03-2012, 06:11 PM

Unbelievable that Chicago keeps electing the same idiots and expecting things to get better.

DeltaBetaBaby · #8 09-03-2012, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

Unbelievable that Chicago keeps electing the same idiots and expecting things to get better.

Lol, I actually live about a half mile outside city limits, but in fairness to Chicagoans, their other choice was Carol Moseley Braun.

Kevin · #9 09-03-2012, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Lol, I actually live about a half mile outside city limits, but in fairness to Chicagoans, their other choice was Carol Moseley Braun.

Single-party rule is never a good thing. I've also never been a big fan of the 'strong mayor' municipal government. Especially when you're talking about what are for all practical purposes city-states. There's just too much power in one place.

DeltaBetaBaby · #10 09-03-2012, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

Single-party rule is never a good thing. I've also never been a big fan of the 'strong mayor' municipal government. Especially when you're talking about what are for all practical purposes city-states. There's just too much power in one place.

Well, the streets get plowed!

PM_Mama00 · #11 09-03-2012, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDee

I hope the Chicago teachers use social media to let the public know what the real issues are. It's a very powerful outlet that isn't dependent on news sources.

Cuts to education are leading to similar situations all over. My kids have been in classes of 40 kids in high school routinely as cuts keep getting deeper.

Michigan has a ballot proposal that might be on the ballot in November (it is tied up in courts right now) about keeping the right to collective bargaining. These are the kinds of reasons it is important.

It's too bad the greedy UAW has ruined the word "union". ALL for teachers unions, police unions, fire unions. But you and I both know "union" is a bad word around here.

Xidelt · #12 09-03-2012, 06:13 PM

I hope the CPS teachers continue the good fight! These huge class sizes and continued under-funding don't allow teachers to teach or students to get a quality education.

AGDee · #13 09-04-2012, 06:56 AM

The UAW did accept a two tier pay system so new guys hired in make only $14 an hour. And honestly, it is very difficult to raise a family on $23 an hour. They do some things that seem greedy, but all in all, they made salaries higher for everybody... both blue and white collar employees.

Issues with the auto companies go far beyond the UAW. The very fact that they have to compete with foreign auto companies who don't have to pay a dime for health care for their employees puts them at a distinct disadvantage.

AlphaFrog · #14 09-04-2012, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDee

The UAW did accept a two tier pay system so new guys hired in make only $14 an hour. And honestly, it is very difficult to raise a family on $23 an hour. They do some things that seem greedy, but all in all, they made salaries higher for everybody... both blue and white collar employees.

Issues with the auto companies go far beyond the UAW. The very fact that they have to compete with foreign auto companies who don't have to pay a dime for health care for their employees puts them at a distinct disadvantage.

Oh, the things I could do if EITHER my husband or I was making $23/hour. Unless you're talking single income home, in which case, it still isn't that hard. Yeah, you might not get a large family vacation every year, and your kid(s) may have to choose between soccer OR band, but it's certainly no where near poverty.

PM_Mama00 · #15 09-05-2012, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDee

The UAW did accept a two tier pay system so new guys hired in make only $14 an hour. And honestly, it is very difficult to raise a family on $23 an hour. They do some things that seem greedy, but all in all, they made salaries higher for everybody... both blue and white collar employees.

Issues with the auto companies go far beyond the UAW. The very fact that they have to compete with foreign auto companies who don't have to pay a dime for health care for their employees puts them at a distinct disadvantage.

Sorry Dee I completely missed your post when I replied. I agree with the competition part. It sucks. And bravo to starting new guys at $14.