Teachers Union to Negotiate School Board's Rescinding of Pay Raises

The Chicago Teachers Union isn't taking yesterday's decision by the Chicago School Board to rescind a planned 4 percent pay raise for next school year lightly. CTU President Karen Lewis said that they plan on negotiating the decision with the school board, which could open the entire contract between CPS and the union up for negotiations and raise the possibility of the first teachers strike since 1987 if a compromise isn't reached.

Lewis said she was "shocked that the board would take any kind of action that would lead us in the direction to strike ... since they say they want labor peace." The School Board used a "reasonable expectations" clause to justify rescinding the pay raise, stating that, faced with a $712 million deficit, they cannot find the $100 million necessary to cover the raise. The Sun-Times printed an editorial this morning hinting that the pay freeze was inevitable and implored CTU to make a sacrifice for the good of the children.

But make no mistake: Chicago teachers have had it good while most workers in the public and private sector have not.
Chicago teachers for the last eight years have enjoyed healthy 4 percent annual raises, even as the economy tanked. Meanwhile, non-union CPS employees and principals went without raises and took as many as 15 furlough days.

And at least 74 percent of Chicago teachers will get a raise this fall no matter what.

On top of the 4 percent raise, most teachers get automatic raises for each extra year they work for CPS and get a salary bump for earning an advanced degree. The experience raises range from 1 to 5 percent, while degree raises average nearly 4 percent.

We know Chicago teachers have taken hits elsewhere. The city is underfunding their pension fund, a 2010 state law created less-generous pensions for new teachers and a state law signed Monday severely limits teachers’ right to strike. If the CTU fails to come to terms with CPS on the 4 percent raise, the door potentially opens to a strike. But effective Monday, 75 percent of all CTU members must approve a strike, up from 50 percent of those voting. The timing of Wednesday’s vote and Monday’s bill-signing is no coincidence.

But none of that makes a dent in CPS’ deficit — and that’s all that matters now.

Yeah, but taking money off the table could lead to CTU easily getting that necessary 75 percent threshold. Both Lewis and School Board President David Vitale made appearances on Chicago Tonight last night to stress their respective cases.

Vitale:

Lewis:

We've written for a while now that this bears watching. Now more than ever, this is being born out.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@chicagoist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Chuck Sudo in News on June 16, 2011 11:24 AM

Comments [rss]

crysmbrown

Why do people keep forgetting that if you are in the private sector, you more than likely make more than a teacher to begin with! Why would you get a raise and you already make 100,000? Meanwhile, the average teacher makes 50,000 and after a 4% raise....you do the math! I am so sick of people blaming teachers..take a walk in my shoes for one day... I DARE YOU!

David

It's sad that we've made ridiculous promises to these teachers. As the article states, the 4% automatic raise is in addition to any other raise which three quarters of the teachers get yearly and ranges from 1-5%. Almost everyone in the private sector has taken a pay cut (or other compensation cut...my 401(k) matching went away and never came back two years ago). Meanwhile, teachers' benefits haven't been cut and they've been enjoying 5-9% yearly raises. It's out of touch with reality.

Navin_Johnson

Almost everyone in the private sector has taken a pay cut

Executive Pay Soars in 2010

Wall Street (Rahm's buddies) = *Record* raises and bonuses despite fraud and wrecking economies.

Transocean executives get bonuses despite gulf oil disaster and deaths..

And on and on and on. Too bad they won't let you put too many links here. I could put as many stories about the wealthy getting raises despite the economy as the day is long.

One thing that makes teaching attractive is that despite not getting the high pay of the private sector, they at least get good benefits.

David

Navin, is "almost everyone" in the private sector an executive? I know I'm not. I thought we all learned as children that two wrong don't make a right.

Navin_Johnson

A weakened labor sector brings down wages for all workers public and private. And worker's share of national income has steadily declined despite highs and lows, while the wealthy's income has just grown and grown. So really, your point is irrelevant. There's plenty of money, it's all just rising to the top. The reverse laffer.

Navin_Johnson

Love Carol Marin! Asking the uncomfortable questions about business and other sectors sharing in the sacrifice. The former school board, Mayor Daley, Arne Duncan, The Olympics, The deficits and expenditures that THEY created:

"Isn't this somewhat a reflection of THEIR poor performance?"

Vitale: "Uhh buhh....duhh....buh....duh....."

"Do we hold the school board, the central office etc. etc. accountable for the kinds of management problems, and expenditures that we end up holding the teachers accountable for?"

Vitale "huhhh buh duh....derp...de...derp"...

Petruce_Carrier

Yeah, great idea... keep sticking the tab to business during this fabulous Obama 'recovery' (hat-tip Debbie Wasserman Schultz). Raise their taxes another 30%!

All the ones that can't get exemptions from Quinn's tax regime will be out of here quicker then you can say Dallas Texas.

Navin_Johnson

The Obama "recovery" has been all about handouts to business sir.

Navin_Johnson

Google TIF

Maybe if we put a few more *billionaire*, sub-prime fraudsters like Penny Pritzker on the school board the problem will just fix itself.

Petruce_Carrier

This is what happens when you run out of other peoples money. This city's going to look like Athens soon.

Navin_Johnson

This is what happens when a country decides that sucking money from the bottom to enrich the top is the way to go. By other people's money, you mean bankers/speculators that engage in risky behavior and then have their toadies in D.C. pay their losses with the citizen's money right?