So, assuming this is a win for chicago teachers, what are the repercussions and developments?

[HiPointDem]

If I were a teacher, I'd really be questioning why the national unions have been following an accomodationist strategy and telling the membership that's the best they can do.

I'd also be wondering why their support for this strike, given the present climate, was so perfunctory.

increased attention to education policy?

rahm pulls an october surprise & shuts down 400 more schools? i'm sure he's got something up his sleeve.

[tama]

1. If you were a teacher

you would probably know that CTU kicked out the "pro" union bosses (who "follow accomodationist strategy", to put it kindly and mildly), elected new rank-and-file leadership of their peers and de facto turned from corrupt hierarchic organization to democratic and horizontal grass roots movement with unity, pride and spine. Occupy union happened.

Nothing stopping people from copying the success, members of old unions occupying their union from accomodationist bosses, occupying work places with new unions. That's already happening and we the 99% can help by spreading the word.

[HiPointDem]

2. I'm not talking about CTU, I'm talking about NEA & AFT, the national umbrella unions for most local

teachers' unions.

And if you know anything about the politics, you'd know there ARE things blocking the actions you recommend.

CTU is an affiliate of AFT, led by randi weingarten.

and despite not being a teacher (anymore), i know the history of the CORE caucus takeover in chicago.

[tama]

3. It was understood.

Point was: occupy them.

[HiPointDem]

4. Why the Chicago Teachers Strike is a "Game Changer"

http://withabrooklynaccent.blogspot.com/2012/09/why-chicago-teachers-strike-is-game.html

Ever since No Child Left behind, School Reformers promoting school closings, privatization, and the use of high stakes testing in teacher and school evaluations have had no significant political opposition and no "grass roots pushback" strong enough to make them think twice.

That is, until the Chicago Teachers Strike. Yes, there was the Save Our Schools March, attracting 8,000 people, and yes, there have been petitions all over the country against high stakes testing, but none of these represented something strong enough to make those promoting school reform initiatives to back off.

Shutting down the school system of the nation's third largest city, however, and filling the streets of that city with 50,000 red shirted marchers is a "game changer." It will not stop the Reform Juggernaut or even slow its momentum, but it will encourage opponents to ratchet up their opposition to the Testing/ Privatization regime on all fronts, including strikes by teachers, test refusal by students and parents, and lawsuits against reform policies which are abusive and discriminatory.

If the Save Our Schools March showed that there was significant opposition among teachers and educators to the Obama Administration's Education Policies, the Chicago Teachers Strike shows that the opposition has the power to challenge those policies in ways that command attention and respect because they are now mobilizing parents along with teachers. And anyone who thinks that this strike is the last gasp of of a dying movement may find the future holds quite a few surprises!

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. In my darker moments I'm thinking Gates $$$ and other inducements....

that we may or may not know about... make their way to places within the nat'l unions where policy is formulated. Or at least into the brains of the union bigshots who are calling ...well... the "big shots."

Obviously, Gates money is going to skew things toward the accomodationist wing.

Solution: don't accept Gates money.

I think... and I HOPE... our national leaders are sensing that the rank and file is way out in front of them. If that's the case, that's an existential threat, career-wise. Or could develop into one.

[HiPointDem]

6. "I HOPE... our national leaders are sensing that the rank and file is way out in front of them."

Mine too. "make it so"


PS: I think there's no other way to explain the passivity and collusion of the national unions except some kind of 'bought-off-ness,' from careerism on up to real cash. I just don't see another explanation that fits the facts. The chicago strike was an opportunity for the national unions. They wasted it.

[Reader Rabbit]

7. Have NEA or AFT made any statements in support of the striking teachers?

I should know this, but I've been buried under work here in the first few weeks of school.

[HiPointDem]

8. weingarten's:

Washington—Statement of AFT President Randi Weingarten in support of striking Chicago Teachers Union members.

"For the first time in 25 years, the members of the Chicago Teachers Union are on strike. No one wants to strike, and no one strikes without cause. In this instance, it comes on the heels of numerous steps that left CTU members feeling disrespected, not the least of which was the district's unilateral decision to strip teachers and paraprofessionals of an agreed-upon 4 percent raise. 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.

"The American Federation of Teachers and our members across the country stand firmly with the CTU, and we will support its members in their efforts to secure a fair contract that will enable them to give their students the best opportunities.

"CTU members—the women and men who spend every day with Chicago's children—want to have their voice and experience respected and valued. They want to be treated as equal partners in making sure every student in Chicago succeeds. That has been the CTU's guiding philosophy throughout these negotiations, and it remains so on the picket lines.

"The Chicago Teachers Union is the AFT's Local No. 1. The AFT was founded in Chicago 100 years ago by teachers determined to have a voice in the quality of their workplace and the quality of the instruction provided to their students. They knew then, as CTU members know now, that collective action was the only way to improve their schools, their communities and their students' education. We know that the members of the CTU are prepared to stay on the picket lines. We also know they would rather be on the job, in the classroom educating their students.

"CTU President Karen Lewis made clear last night that the CTU is prepared to continue negotiations during the strike. Mayor Rahm Emanuel echoed that sentiment on behalf of the district. The students, teachers and educational support staff—and the city of Chicago—deserve a school system that works for everyone. In the end, that is what this strike is all about."