Recently, Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman publicly stated that CPS will have the worst budget crisis in its history. He has indicated that he wants to re-open the Chicago Teachers Union contract because the Board of Education will not have the money necessary to pay teachers their scheduled 4% raises for the 2010-2011 school year.

Members are now asking, “Is CTU President Marilyn Stewart going to allow Mr. Huberman to do this?”

Article 47-2.2 states: “Any adjustments to the increase of four percent for Fiscal Years 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 to Appendix A of this Agreement are contingent upon the reasonable expectation by the BOARD of its ability to fund the increases for Fiscal Years 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012.

Therefore, any adjustments to the salary increases to Appendix A for Fiscal Years 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 shall not be effective until and unless the BOARD adopts a Resolution no later than fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the beginning of each Fiscal Year that it finds there is a reasonable expectation that it will be able to fund such increases for that Fiscal Year.

In the event the Board fails to adopt timely such a resolution, the UNION may, by written notice to the BOARD no later than ten (10) calendar days prior to the beginning of the Fiscal Year in which the BOARD fails to adopt such Resolution, demand that negotiations begin anew with respect to Appendix A. In the event that said negotiators fail to result in an agreement, on thirty calendar days’ notice, terminate this Agreement and accordingly, retains whatever lawful rights it otherwise might have under section 13 of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act, including the right to strike.”

So what does this all mean? For starters, the salaries, raises, and all other items in Appendix A are not guaranteed! Neither Stewart nor any of her “high priced” advisors cannot stop Huberman and the BOARD from ignoring a Resolution in June, 2010 and denying our members their 4 % salary increases.

Appendix A also includes after-school pay, all coaching and extracurricular stipends, extra period overtime money, NCLB and case manager stipends, and all travel reimbursements.

It also means that whomever is in charge of the Chicago Teachers Union after the May 21, 2010 Officers Election must be prepared to begin negotiations with CPS.

After what happened in August, 2007, (see “You Tube” for 5 videos titled “CTU Contract Meeting Aug 31, 2007”) do you trust Stewart’s UPC to negotiate another deal? Do you have confidence Marilyn Stewart has the ability or the support to lead our union in a potential job action?

Now more than ever we need an experienced contract expert!
Now more than ever we need the School Employee Alliance!