AFSCME Stands with Chicago Teachers and Public School Children

by Jon Melegrito  |  September 12, 2012

AFSCME is calling on Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the city’s school board to support the Chicago Teachers Union’s efforts to secure a fair contract and a collaborative system that benefits all public school children.

AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders issued the following statement:

“AFSCME supports the Chicago Teachers’ Union’s efforts to secure a fair contract and its push for a collaborative system that benefits all of Chicago’s public school children.

“As the American Federation of Teachers has noted, the strike comes only after long and intense negotiations failed to lead to an agreement that would give CTU members the tools they need to help all their students succeed. This strike comes on the heels of numerous steps that left teachers feeling disrespected, including the district’s unilateral decision to strip teachers and paraprofessionals of an agreed-upon, 4-percent raise – an affront to collective bargaining rights.

“While teachers would clearly prefer to be in the classroom, they are doing what they feel they must do to have their voices heard in the decision-making process. And we believe that’s crucial to building a great public education system that makes the American Dream accessible to all.”

On Monday, 26,000 teachers went on strike to demand smaller classes and a fair contract. Now in its third day, the protest action is the first for teachers there in 25 years.

AFSCME Council 31 in Illinois and workers from other unions, including the Air Line Pilots Association and the Service Employees International Union, have joined the pickets in solidarity with the teachers. Parents who support the teachers are also participating in the pickets at most every school.

“I support the strike because it’s the last recourse the teachers have,” said Daisy Arias, who has three children at Cooper Academy in Pilsen. “As a mother, this is important to me because they spend so much time with our children.”