Charter Schools Move Towards Creating First Union

By Anthonia Akitunde in News on Apr 5, 2009 5:45PM

Teachers at three Civatas Schools' Chicago International Charter Schools took steps that would make them the first charter school teachers' union in Chicago on Friday. Three-fourths of the teachers at Ralph Ellison, Northtown Academy and Wrightwood signed union authorization cards for representation by the Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff. According to state law, the teachers are allowed to unionize if a majority signs up.

Prior to this historic step, charter school teachers were barred under state law from seeking representation from the Chicago Teacher's Union. By unionizing, teachers hope to gain job security, better benefits and more say in the way classes and the schools are run, according to reports. The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board has 30 days to approve the union results.

CTU President Marilyn Stewart and Illinois Federation of Teachers President Ed Geppert, Jr. had this to say in a joint statement: “We are very supportive of this strong group of teachers and staff at the Chicago International Charter Schools’ as they form a union. These charter school teachers and staff are acting today to improve their schools’ operations and environment for their student’s performance. We feel as strongly as they do that the views of teachers and staff are critical to school success and that school administrators must formally recognize the teachers and staff contributions. Their dedication will help their schools become trailblazers of innovation and collaboration within community.” [Sun-Times, Tribune, IFT, Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff]