2012 Chicago teachers' strike

2012 Chicago teachers' strike. The strike involved approximately 26,000 teachers and staff from the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), who walked out of their jobs in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to protest issues such as teacher evaluation, job security, and benefits. The strike was led by CTU President Karen Lewis, who worked closely with other union leaders, including Jesse Sharkey and Stephanie Gadlin. The strike drew support from various organizations, including the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), as well as from prominent figures like Dennis Van Roekel and Randi Weingarten.

Background

The 2012 Chicago teachers' strike was the first teachers' strike in Chicago in over 25 years, with the previous strike occurring in 1987 under the leadership of Jacqueline Vaughn. The strike was influenced by the broader context of education reform in the United States, with efforts by policymakers like Arne Duncan and Barack Obama to implement changes such as No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top. The CTU had been in negotiations with CPS and Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration for months, but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on key issues like teacher evaluation and compensation. The union also drew inspiration from other labor movements, including the Wisconsin protests led by Scott Walker's opponents, and the Occupy Wall Street movement, which was supported by groups like the AFL-CIO and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Causes of the strike

The causes of the strike were multifaceted, involving issues like teacher evaluation, job security, and benefits. The CTU was concerned about the implementation of a new evaluation system, which would have tied teacher tenure to student test scores and other metrics. The union argued that this system was unfair and would lead to the layoff of experienced teachers, citing examples from other districts like Los Angeles Unified School District and New York City Department of Education. The CTU also sought to protect teacher benefits, including health insurance and pension plans, which were under threat due to the city's budget crisis. The strike drew support from other unions, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and the United Auto Workers (UAW), as well as from community groups like the Chicago Teachers Solidarity Campaign and the Kenwood-Oakland Community Organization.

Strike timeline

The strike began on September 10, 2012, with teachers and staff picketing outside schools across the city, including Senn High School and Lane Tech College Prep. The strike drew widespread media attention, with coverage from outlets like CNN, MSNBC, and The New York Times. The CTU held rallies and marches throughout the city, including a large rally in Grant Park on September 17, which was attended by thousands of supporters, including Jesse Jackson and Cornel West. The strike ended on September 18, 2012, after the CTU and CPS reached a tentative agreement, which was later ratified by the union's membership, with support from organizations like the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Chicago Federation of Labor.

Impact and aftermath

The strike had a significant impact on the city of Chicago, with over 350,000 students affected by the walkout. The strike also drew attention to the broader issues facing public education in the United States, including funding inequality and teacher shortages. The CTU's victory was seen as a major win for the labor movement, with implications for other unions and education reform efforts across the country, including those in California, New York, and Texas. The strike also led to changes in the way that teacher evaluation and compensation are handled in Chicago Public Schools, with a new system being implemented in the years following the strike, under the leadership of Barbara Byrd-Bennett and Janice Jackson.

Negotiations and resolution

The negotiations between the CTU and CPS were led by a team of union leaders, including Karen Lewis and Jesse Sharkey, who worked closely with Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration to reach a tentative agreement. The agreement included provisions on teacher evaluation, compensation, and benefits, as well as a commitment to hire more teachers and reduce class sizes in Chicago Public Schools. The agreement was ratified by the CTU's membership, with support from organizations like the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), as well as from prominent figures like Diane Ravitch and Jonathan Kozol. The resolution of the strike was seen as a major victory for the CTU and the labor movement, with implications for education reform efforts across the country, including those in Los Angeles, New York City, and Houston.