Posts tagged Lori Lightfoot
She made history as Chicago mayor. Reelection may be harder
January 24, 2023 // Elected as a reform-minded outsider who would rid the city of pay-to-play politics, Lightfoot was criticized when a campaign staffer sent out an email to public school teachers seeking students to volunteer for the campaign in exchange for class credit. Lightfoot apologized, calling it a mistake. Inspectors general are reviewing for possible policy violations. Some of Lightfoot’s biggest battles have been with the Chicago Teachers Union, which backed her opponent in Lightfoot's first run for mayor. The two sides butted heads during an 11-day teachers strike in 2019 and bickered over returning to in-school instruction during the pandemic. This year, the teachers union has endorsed Lightfoot rival Brandon Johnson, a Cook County commissioner and former Chicago teacher and union organizer.
Lightfoot Campaign Asks CPS Teachers to Encourage Students to Help Her Win Reelection in Return for Credit
January 12, 2023 // Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates told WTTW News the campaign’s action was “unethical” and that she was concerned teachers who decline to volunteer for the mayor’s campaign, or encourage their students to do so, could face retaliation. The teachers’ union has endorsed Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson in the race for mayor. Johnson is a paid staff member of the union. Megan Crane, externship program, class credit, Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates,
Chicago Principals A Step Closer To Unionizing As Bill Moves To Illinois Governor’s Desk
January 10, 2023 // Chicago’s principals have been unable to unionize because they were considered managerial employees under state law. HB 5107 changes the definition of managerial employees to district employees who have a significant role in the negotiations of collective bargaining agreements or who create employer-wide management policies and practices. The Chicago Principals and Administrators Association, a professional membership organization that advocates for issues affecting principals and administrators, has fought for years for this change. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Robert Peters,
Chicago union pushes progressive politics
December 19, 2022 // Chicago Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) recently announced that it will financially back mayoral candidate Jesus “Chuy” Garcia – instead of incumbent mayor Lori Lightfoot – with a $1 million commitment. This pledge will triple Garcia’s campaign fund up to about $1.6 million. IUOE Local 150 is the tenth-largest union associated with AFL-CIO. IUOE Local 150 spokesman Ed Maher told local media that the union’s political backing is due to the out-of-control “lawlessness” in the Windy City.
Chicago Teachers Union elects Stacy Davis Gates as new president, keeping CORE slate in power
May 24, 2022 // The COVID-19 pandemic arrived a short time later and only worsened the strain, as Lightfoot’s and CPS’ plans for reopening schools were delayed several times by union resistance. CTU won the right to bargain over the terms of teachers’ return and twice took formal action to refuse to teach in-person classes as it fought for more safety protections for staff and students.
WTTW technicians on strike against Chicago public TV station vow ‘to be out here as long as it takes’
March 22, 2022 // Two dozen striking WTTW technicians came out from behind the cameras and held a union rally in front of the station’s North Side studios Monday seeking support in their quest for job guarantees and a new labor contract.
Chicago mayor warns police to get vaccine by Sunday or lose pay
March 16, 2022 // On Wednesday, when announcing the appeal, Catanzara said: “I don’t know what happens over the next 72 hours. All I can tell you is we are not going to stop punching. This easily can be all averted before this cliff becomes a reality.” Catanzara in recent weeks has sounded the alarm over what he said will be a “bloodbath” in Chicago if his predictions of a mass resignation come true.
QUICK-TO-STRIKE LEADERS NEED TO BE REPLACED, CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION MEMBERS SAY
January 26, 2022 // The Members First Caucus said the current Chicago Teachers Union leaders see “work stoppages and strikes as the first step, and not the last one.” They want less political activism and more focus on delivering for members and students.
Chicago students to miss a second day of classes as teachers remain at home
January 5, 2022 // Teachers will not be paid for refusing to report to school in person, Martinez said Tuesday. City officials said the union decision amounted to an illegal work stoppage.