Posted on 02/17/2012 6:59:40 AM PST by traumer
The Chicago Teachers Union is asking for raises amounting to 30 percent over the next two years, the opening salvo in heated contract negotiations with school officials who are implementing a longer school day across Chicago Public Schools next school year.
Documents obtained by the Tribune show that in the face of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's expansion of the school day, the union has led with an offer seeking a 24 percent raise in the 2012-13 school year and a 5 percent increase the following year, the net effect being 30 percent.
It may be playing hardball, or it could be, as one education expert described it, an "exorbitant offer" that ignores the district's growing financial constraints.
As she left CTU headquarters for contract negotiations Thursday, union President Karen Lewis declined to comment on the details of the proposal.
"We are not negotiating this in the public," Lewis said.
CTU spokeswoman Stephanie Gadlin issued a statement, saying: "Our contract negotiations have just begun and are negotiated in good faith and not in the public. We have not authorized the release of any proposals outside of negotiations."
The proposal also calls for reducing elementary school class sizes from 28 to 23 students and shrinking class sizes in the upper grade levels from about 31 students to 23.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
And there is no reason the people should not give them these raises!
The people of Chicago LOVE Unions. They LOVE Democrats. They vote for them in devout fashion. The people of Chicago are true believers. Now it’s time that they demonstrate their worship of all things liberal and pay these high priests from the teacher’s union.
What do they have to complain about? This is what they desperately sought and demanded.
She’s not bad-looking for a union gal.
Oh wait—I was looking at the person behind Ms. Lewis, the one with the big mustache.
Hmmmm.....let’s see......I could work harder and make more money.....no, that’s not it......I could go back to school to train for a better job to make more money......that would cut into my tv time......I could start my own business.....no no no no no.......I could take money from other people by voting Democrat.....THERE’S THE ANSWER!!!!
I thought it was a guy...
Chicago area teachers NEED this raise, so they too can go with the Union Leaders on the next 7 Day Carribean Cruise .... all expenses on the taxpayer's dime.
And they don’t want the talks in public? Wow..
Not one more DIME!!!!!!
I wonder if Karen Lewis is a liberal. Does anyone know?
No more getting out at 3:00 either. It's 5;00 from now on.
Oh and a independent, private committee will be formed to see how the kids are doing. If so many are failing you will be fired.
I think 30% is fair. I really think they deserve 50%. Maybe 60% is better. Maybe we should just double down like a poker bet. 100% or we strike.
Teachers got nothing, Rahm will roll these fat pigs.
30%?
They got balls but anyone who asked for that would get a hard look and my response would be to laugh, initially.
Next, I’d look at their performance and see if maybe I should cut their wages, fire them or give them their ask with a letter of appreciation.
If WI GOP is smart, they will use this in the recall campaign...show the voters why it is necessary to reign in the unions..
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