Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union. The Chicago Teachers Union is a labor union representing teachers and other educational professionals in Chicago Public Schools. The union has a long history of advocating for the rights of its members, as well as for improvements in Chicago Public Schools and the broader American education system. The union is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, and the AFL-CIO, and has worked closely with other labor unions, including the Service Employees International Union and the United Auto Workers.

● History

The Chicago Teachers Union was founded in 1937 by a group of teachers who were dissatisfied with the working conditions and compensation in Chicago Public Schools. The union's early leaders, including John Dewey and Margaret Haley, were influenced by the Progressive Education movement and the Labor Movement of the time. The union quickly grew in membership and became a major force in Chicago's labor movement, working closely with other unions, such as the Congress of Industrial Organizations and the American Federation of Labor. The union's history has been marked by periods of conflict with the Chicago Board of Education and the City of Chicago, including a major strike in 1987 led by Jacqueline Vaughn and a 2012 strike led by Karen Lewis.

● Organization

The Chicago Teachers Union is governed by a House of Delegates composed of representatives from each of the union's member schools. The union is led by a president, currently Stacy Davis Gates, and a vice president, who are elected by the membership. The union has a number of committees and departments, including a Legislative Committee and a Communications Department, which work to advance the union's goals and interests. The union is also affiliated with a number of other organizations, including the National Education Association, the Illinois Education Association, and the Coalition of Labor Union Women.

● Collective Bargaining

The Chicago Teachers Union engages in Collective Bargaining with the Chicago Board of Education to negotiate contracts and working conditions for its members. The union's collective bargaining agreements have covered a range of issues, including Teacher Evaluation, Class Size, and Health Insurance. The union has also negotiated agreements on issues such as Professional Development and Teacher Retention. The union's collective bargaining process has been influenced by the work of Labor Economists, such as Richard Freeman and James Heckman, and has been shaped by the union's relationships with other labor unions, including the United Teachers Los Angeles and the New York City Teachers Union.

● Strikes and Labor Disputes

The Chicago Teachers Union has been involved in a number of Strikes and labor disputes over the years, including a major strike in 2012 that drew national attention. The strike, which was led by Karen Lewis and Jesse Sharkey, was sparked by disputes over issues such as Teacher Evaluation, Class Size, and Pension Reform. The union has also been involved in smaller-scale labor disputes, including a 2016 strike by Charter School teachers and a 2019 strike by teachers in Acero Schools. The union's strikes and labor disputes have been influenced by the work of Labor Historians, such as David Montgomery and Nelson Lichtenstein, and have been shaped by the union's relationships with other labor unions, including the Service Employees International Union and the United Auto Workers.

● Political Activities

The Chicago Teachers Union is active in Chicago Politics and has endorsed a number of candidates for public office, including Barack Obama, Rahm Emanuel, and Lori Lightfoot. The union has also been involved in a number of Political Campaigns, including the 2012 campaign to recall Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and the 2019 campaign to elect Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. The union's political activities have been influenced by the work of Political Scientists, such as Adolph Reed Jr. and Frances Fox Piven, and have been shaped by the union's relationships with other labor unions, including the AFL-CIO and the National Education Association.

● Notable Members and Leaders

The Chicago Teachers Union has a number of notable members and leaders, including Karen Lewis, who served as president of the union from 2010 to 2014 and was a prominent figure in the 2012 strike. Other notable members and leaders include Jesse Sharkey, who has served as president of the union since 2014, and Stacy Davis Gates, who serves as vice president of the union. The union has also been influenced by the work of Educational Researchers, such as Diane Ravitch and Pedro Noguera, and has been shaped by the union's relationships with other labor unions, including the United Teachers Los Angeles and the New York City Teachers Union. The union's members and leaders have been recognized for their contributions to Education and Labor with a number of awards, including the National Education Association's Horace Mann Award and the AFL-CIO's Meany-Kirkland Award.