Chicago Teachers Union files complaint to block schools from lengthening day

[The Northerner]

The Chicago Teachers Union has filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the school district to block any more elementary schools from signing waivers and lengthening their school days.

The union accuses the governing board of the Chicago Public Schools of “unfair labor practices” and of “coercing” union members at schools to sign the waivers, which allow them to opt out of the existing teachers contract.

“Asking our members to void parts of their own contract it is unethical and illegal,” union president Karen Lewis said today.

“We want them to cease and desist from its unlawful activity, restore our teachers’ rights, post appropriate notices of its intent to extend school hours and tell us how they intend to make the school day better for our children. We’ve asked them over and over to work with us not against us.”

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-chicago-teachers-union-files-complaint-to-block-schools-from-lengthening-day-20110909,0,7400236.story

[msongs]

1. race to the top is what it is now called. nt

[former9thward]

2. The City of Chicago has the shortest school day in the U.S. (5 hours)

and the shortest school year (170 days). Average salary for Chicago is $74,000 for a nine month year. School test scores among the worst in the nation.

[Pirate Smile]

3. Ugghh

These are the types of fights that turn the public off.