Latest news with #CTU
Chicago Tribune
6 hours ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
CTU threatens to sue over proposed CPS budget cuts
The Chicago Teachers Union is threatening to sue the Chicago Board of Education over budget plans proposed by outgoing schools chief Pedro Martinez that it says constitute unfair labor practices and violations of the recently ratified contract. CTU President Stacy Davis Gates sent a letter to the school board on Tuesday, June 3, characterizing Martinez and his team's proposals to balance the Chicago Public Schools' 2026 fiscal budget as 'attempts at vindictive sabotage.' The new fiscal year begins on July 1. The union settled a new $1.5 billion four-year contract in late April, following a year of negotiations. CPS has said there is enough money to cover the first year of the contract, but has not specified plans for the other three. In recent weeks, CPS suggested delaying the proposals outlined in the new union contract to balance the budget for next year, given challenging financial circumstances, according to the CTU letter. Those delayed proposals would affect agreements around class size and staffing levels, the letter states, affecting English Language Learners and students with disabilities. 'To be clear, the district does not have the option of delaying investments it is contractually obligated to make under our (collective bargaining agreement), for FY26 or any other year of the agreement,' Davis Gates writes in the letter. Facing a $529 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2026, district officials pushed back. They indicated in a statement to the Tribune that they may need to review new proposals under various labor agreements to ensure long-term sustainability. Salary increases, they assured, are already in motion and included in the budget. 'If any changes to the collective bargaining agreement are needed, the District will work in partnership with our labor partners to identify solutions together,' the statement reads. The proposals in the new teachers contract include increased salaries for veteran teachers, more librarians and nurses, and mandates around class sizes, among hundreds of other asks. In the letter, Davis Gates writes that 'the terminated CEO is recommending the school district expose itself to massive legal liability by breaking these contractual promises.' She adds that the district's proposed cuts could trigger 'state investigations, monitorship, and costly compensatory services.' Ultimately, she strongly urges board members to reject Martinez's plan. Typically, when a dispute arises regarding the interpretation or enforcement of any of the proposals in a teachers contract, CTU initiates a grievance process that may be submitted to arbitration, where an impartial arbitrator makes a binding decision. But if any party believes that the contract has been violated in a manner not addressable through arbitration, they may seek legal action. Facing a $529 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2026, CPS had planned for months on how to make cuts in a way that minimizes the impact on schools. At a school board meeting last week, Martinez publicly stated that the district would attempt to make cuts at the administrative level to avoid affecting schools as much as possible. The school district released its school-level budgets on May 15, which are based on $300 million in new revenue. That still leaves $229 million in debt, and the necessity for some cuts, CPS said in its Wednesday statement. 'The proposed reductions — totaling up to 15 percent of CPS' budgets for more than 40 departments — aim to protect school funding and critical investments in District programming and operations,' the statement reads. Davis Gates, a close ally of Mayor Brandon Johnson, repeatedly attacked Martinez for his handling of the contract negotiations process. She nodded to that in Tuesday's letter, saying that his 'unfamiliarity with how contract negotiations work resulted in months of avoidable confusion, tension, and turmoil, delaying the settlement of our contract.' In the letter, she says that Martinez has gone on to brag about the accomplishments of the contract. Those are the very same measures — she says — that he is seeking to cut. Martinez is leaving the district June 18 after a long, drawn-out battle with Mayor Johnson and the union over district finances.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
CTU President Stacy Davis Gates honored at U.S. Capitol by Illinois Congresswoman Delia Ramirez
Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates received congressional recognition for her dedication to educational equity in Chicago and beyond. U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-IL, the only serving Latina U.S. congresswoman in the Midwest, commended the longtime labor leader on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday morning. She called Davis Gates a friend and 'an unapologetic champion of our Chicago communities.' Ramirez has repeatedly stood up against President Donald Trump for his hard-line immigration enforcement that has affected the Chicago area. She made another strong statement Tuesday by nodding at Davis Gates' support of that work. '(Davis Gates) secured sanctuary protections for immigrant families and supported students and families experiencing homelessness, putting Chicago's children at the center of everything she does,' said Ramirez. Ramirez's announcement came just days after Davis Gates won her bid for reelection with 64% of the union membership vote. In the winter months, a slate of challengers formed to challenge the incumbent teachers union president and her contingent, arguing that the CTU wasn't practicing financial transparency and was shedding other union allies. Notably, Davis Gates' reelection followed the settlement of a teachers' contract for the first time in 15 years without a strike or a strike vote. Davis Gates repeatedly held up that accomplishment as the 'forcefield' needed to protect Chicago Public Schools from repeated probes by the federal government on the district's diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. On Tuesday, Ramirez acknowledged the precedent Davis Gates' labor work, referencing the 15-day strike that Davis Gates helped to lead in 2019 as an example of her 'bold campaigns that build schools.' In the face of federal warnings, the teachers union continues to fight against what it deems as efforts to corporatize public education. 'There is no shrinking from the fight coming from Washington and from the administration's Illinois lackeys like IPI and Paul Vallas, the local right-wing forces who spent millions attacking our leadership,' CTU said in a statement Saturday afternoon. 'The good news is, there are more workers than billionaires. We're not confused about who makes up the workforce today, where our people come from, or who we represent and are in service to,' the statement said. Ramirez also recognized Madeline Talbott and Keith Kelleher, longtime Chicago labor organizers, and Illinois teacher of the year Victor Gomez. Gomez, a six-year teacher from Wheaton, mentors other aspiring bilingual educators, according to Ramirez. 'As a fluent, bilingual, Latina daughter of immigrants, I know the importance of having teachers and mentors who look and sound like me,' Ramirez said.
Chicago Tribune
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
CTU President Stacy Davis Gates honored at U.S. Capitol by Illinois Congresswoman Delia Ramirez
Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates received congressional recognition for her dedication to educational equity in Chicago and beyond. U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-IL, the only serving Latina U.S. congresswoman in the Midwest, commended the longtime labor leader on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday morning. She called Davis Gates a friend and 'an unapologetic champion of our Chicago communities.' Ramirez has repeatedly stood up against President Donald Trump for his hard-line immigration enforcement that has affected the Chicago area. She made another strong statement Tuesday by nodding at Davis Gates' support of that work. '(Davis Gates) secured sanctuary protections for immigrant families and supported students and families experiencing homelessness, putting Chicago's children at the center of everything she does,' said Ramirez. Ramirez's announcement came just days after Davis Gates won her bid for reelection with 64% of the union membership vote. In the winter months, a slate of challengers formed to challenge the incumbent teachers union president and her contingent, arguing that the CTU wasn't practicing financial transparency and was shedding other union allies. Notably, Davis Gates' reelection followed the settlement of a teachers' contract for the first time in 15 years without a strike or a strike vote. Davis Gates repeatedly held up that accomplishment as the 'forcefield' needed to protect Chicago Public Schools from repeated probes by the federal government on the district's diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. On Tuesday, Ramirez acknowledged the precedent Davis Gates' labor work, referencing the 15-day strike that Davis Gates helped to lead in 2019 as an example of her 'bold campaigns that build schools.' In the face of federal warnings, the teachers union continues to fight against what it deems as efforts to corporatize public education. 'There is no shrinking from the fight coming from Washington and from the administration's Illinois lackeys like IPI and Paul Vallas, the local right-wing forces who spent millions attacking our leadership,' CTU said in a statement Saturday afternoon. 'The good news is, there are more workers than billionaires. We're not confused about who makes up the workforce today, where our people come from, or who we represent and are in service to,' the statement said. Ramirez also recognized Madeline Talbott and Keith Kelleher, longtime Chicago labor organizers, and Illinois teacher of the year Victor Gomez. Gomez, a six-year teacher from Wheaton, mentors other aspiring bilingual educators, according to Ramirez. 'As a fluent, bilingual, Latina daughter of immigrants, I know the importance of having teachers and mentors who look and sound like me,' Ramirez said.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Could he be more racist?': Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson slammed for ‘only hiring black people' comment in viral speech
Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson slammed for 'only hiring black people' comment in viral speech Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is under fire after a viral video clip showed him defending his hiring record by highlighting the number of Black officials in his administration, prompting accusations of racial bias and political opportunism. Speaking at the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn on Sunday, Johnson responded to critics who claim he talks only about hiring Black people. 'No, what I'm saying is when you hire our people, we always look out for everybody else. We are the most generous people on the planet,' he said to a cheering crowd. 'I don't know too many cultures that have play cousins. That's how generous we are. We just make somebody a family member, right? This is how we are', he added. He went on to list top officials in his administration. 'Business and economic neighborhood development, the deputy mayor is a Black woman. Department of planning and development is a Black woman. Infrastructure, deputy mayor is a Black woman. Chief operations officer is a Black man. Budget director is a Black woman. Senior advisor is a Black man,' he said, adding, 'I'm laying that out because when you ask, how do we ensure that our people get a chance to grow their business?' Netizens react The remarks, viewed by many online as racially divisive, ignited sharp backlash. One user posted, 'He just admitted he discriminates against white people in favor of Black people.' Another wrote, 'Could he be more racist?' while others accused him of pandering for Black votes ahead of the next election. Some also took aim at the racial framing of the speech, referencing civil rights ideals. One comment read, 'I have a dream that my… children will… not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Have we forgotten the goal?' Another asked, 'Why do they ALWAYS talk about race? They insert it into every single conversation.' Other netizens voiced legal and ethical concerns, with one writing, 'How have we not arrested this guy yet for civil rights violations?' and another accusing the mayor of dishonesty: 'He's just making stuff up and using excuses.' Johnson, a former CTU organiser who became mayor in 2023 with strong support from Black voters and progressive whites, has long emphasised equity and representation . Midway through his term, Johnson is facing both major policy hurdles and political pressure, according to news outlet South Side Weekly. While he has celebrated wins like reduced violent crime and large-scale investment in affordable housing, he has also faced criticism over missteps, particularly in handling the migrant crisis and budget management. Johnson further stressed his broader vision at the event and said, 'We can be the safest, most affordable, big city in America,' while again pledging to repopulate underserved South and West Side neighbourhoods and invest in Black communities.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chicago Teacher Union election: Stacy Davis-Gates wins reelection as president
The Brief Members of the Chicago Teachers Union reelected President Stacy Davis-Gates and the CORE leadership. The incumbents earned 64% of the vote. Davis-Gates fended off a challenge from Erika Meza, who challenged her handling of the CTU's finances. CHICAGO - The Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis-Gates was reelected to another term this week, fending off a challenge from Erika Meza. Davis-Gates, who was first elected CTU president in 2022, will remain the leader of the union of nearly 30,000 members. What we know Davis-Gates and the incumbent ruling faction known as "CORE" earned 64% of the vote, the union said in an update on its website. The winning side touted its accomplishments, including the ratification of a new contract with the Chicago Public Schools district, pushing for an elected school board, and even helping to elect Mayor Brandon Johnson, a CTU member. Davis-Gates led the often combative year-long contract negotiations with CPS. The new contract netted teachers a 4–5% raise per year. About 97% of the voting members approved the new deal. What they're saying In a statement, the CTU said: "In a moment where the billionaire bros are stripping federal workers of their collective bargaining rights, where states like Indiana are targeting the institution of public schools altogether, and where Black Americans and individuals of every identity are seeing their voting rights rolled back, we are proud of the vibrancy of our union democracy, grateful to every member who participated, and delivered this mandate to keep building and keep moving forward." The other side But CTU's public image hasn't fared as well, with once-positive approval ratings taking a significant hit as the public has turned against not only CTU but the political movement it leads. Meza echoed concerns that Davis-Gates and the CORE leadership failed to produce financial audits. Just this week, a judge rejected the CTU's motion to dismiss a lawsuit from some members who demanded answers. Austin Berg of the libertarian think tank Illinois Policy Institute says it's been a losing proposition. According to an IPI analysis, the union spent nearly $3 million on recent elected school board elections – and lost three quarters of those races. "Now today you see their favorability ratings in the 30s, with their leader Brandon Johnson, a former CTU organizer, also extraordinarily unpopular," Berg said.
