For Immediate Release
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
AFSCME’s Saunders on Chicago Teachers’ Strike
Statement of AFSCME President Lee Saunders on the strike by the Chicago Teachers’ Union
Washington, DC —“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% 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 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.”
