Chicago teachers have claimed a minor victory, but how long will it last?
During a news briefing at the union’s headquarters, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis expressed pleasure that Chicago Public School officials backed off a proposal that might’ve led to a strike.
“The pension pickup is part of the status quo that CPS is required by law to maintain during bargaining, and unilaterally discontinuing the pension pickup would surely be illegal,” stated Lewis. “We regret that it took the threat of an unfair labor practice strike to induce CPS to reconsider for now its ill-advised action of enforcing a 7 percent pay cut on teachers, paraprofessionals and clinicians who have borne the brunt of horrific attacks against their professional and the students in their classrooms.”
This announcement came the same day as the Chicago Board of Education announced it would impose three furlough days this school year (March 25, June 22 and June 23) that, according to the CTU, could cost educators a 1.6 percent loss in pay. Board officials said that this course of action is designed to improve their cash flow. March 25 marks the start of the Easter holiday season in Chicago’s public schools.
Back in January, the AmNews reported on Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner pushing for a state takeover of the city’s public school system. Rauner said a state takeover would keep the system afloat while dealing with budget and pension issues.
During the news briefing, Rauner said that the CPS CEO Forrest Claypool “has rescinded his threat today, but he is clear that he will enforce a 7 percent pay cut ‘at a future date.” He added, “This is unwise and not productive toward concluding a labor agreement—therefore this unfair labor practice remains un-remedied.
“The working conditions in our schools are directly tied to the learning conditions for our students. We are dealing with unclean schools, and our most vulnerable students are without school nurses.”
According to the union, the “pension pickup” has been in their contract for 35 years and was agreed to in lieu of salary increases. Under the deal, CPS is required to pay 7 percent of a teacher’s salary to the pension instead of to the teachers. If CPS doesn’t pay the 7 percent, the teachers have to pay the pension fund requirements themselves. That action constitutes a pay cut and makes a strike permissible under an interpretation of Illinois state law.
“April 1 is a showdown for a fair contract,” said Lewis. “April 1 is a showdown for progressive revenue for our schools. April 1 is a showdown for our students and parents. April 1 is a showdown for communities. April 1 is a showdown for equitable funding and good governance. April 1 is a showdown for education justice.”