Teachers Strike Could Be the Best Lesson for Chicago Kids This Year

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/hot-news-views/teachers-strike-could-be-best-lesson-chicago-kids-year?akid=9394.277129.rZRbtw&rd=1&src=newsletter710530&t=3

This time last year, I met several Chicago teachers at a union meeting in Florida. It was disheartening to learn that they felt Mayor Rahm Emanuel had no intention of negotiating with them. Since the early days of his campaign he had made it clear that he had a plan to reform Chicago’s schools and the teachers and their union could take it or leave it.

He proceeded to lengthen the school day without teacher input on how the time should be used or how the teachers should be compensated. He cancelled an agreed upon pay raise. Classroom size, teacher evaluations, public school closings and charter school openings-- these are all important issues for which teachers have first hand experience and knowledge to contribute. Their voices were not welcome.

The Chicago Teachers Strike, now in its fifth day, is not about money. It's about respect and teachers having a voice in determining what is best for children, teachers, and parents.

People don’t become teachers to get rich. And they don’t go on strike thoughtlessly. Ninety percent of the Chicago Teachers Union members voted to authorize the strike. Clad in red t-shirts, 25,500 teachers are picketing in front of the schools. Each day they are on the picket line there are no pay checks; they have no strike fund.

[murielm99]

1. I think the students in Madison

learned a lot last year, too.

Sometimes hands-on democracy is the best teaching tool. I hope they know how to use this tool, rather than being smeared successfully by the righties and anti-unionists!