Question Of The Week: The CTU Election

It's election week, and with it comes the final push between Debbie Lynch's PACT slate and Marilyn Stewart and the UPC folks currently in charge of CTU. 

Who's going to win, and what impact will that have on teachers' and students' lives?  What are the big issues that will affect how teachers vote?  How if at all are you hearing about the campaign, and how does it compare to previous years?

Comments

Does it truly matter who wins? No matter what their intentions are the other party will spend years slamming their every move. The candidate will talk a good game but in the end will be muscled into doing what the "powers of be want". Meanwhile, our children will be the ones that suffer.

It will all come down to who the members trust. Because the last contract was such a disaster, the members will necer elect Lynch again. She lies to everyone including herself! She cannot accept the fact that she made such a mess. this doesn't speak much of her character.

[I Hope You're Not a Teacher...]

Yes, they 'necer' will elect her.

I hope you're not a teacher 5:34. A typo is a typo, do you mock your students who make a little mistake?

From my perspective, Stewart should be voted out of office. I don't want her getting to closure on the contract. Not at all.

From my perspective - Lynch had her chance and decimated the contract. At least Stewart should have a chance to negotiate a new one. Anything would be better than the last. What a disaster!

Mr. Alexander,

Since you posted the PACT website link, you should post the UPC website link at http://www.theupc.com

Fair is fair, unless that's not what you want to be.

Lynch made such a mess of the contract. She lost items that took years to achieve all due to her lack of researching the details. I don't know how anyone would want her to negotiate again.

[Alexander]

not much of a site, that UPC site. that's why i linked to the CTU site instead. anyway...no intention of being unfair. glad you posted it.

Lynch underestimated the intellegence of the Chicago Teachers three years ago, and she continues to think we are all stupid. Remember, we all had five months from the time the contract was ratified till the election to look it over. It was more than enough time to send Lynch packing. Stewart has earned the right to negotiate this upcoming contract. The best thing Lynch can do is just quit before May 18th. It was save her alot of embarrassment!!

Correction, it will save her alot of embarrassment!!

[Alexander]

does anyone know who's in the lead? are there polls, or surveys, or inside scoops on this?

[southside soldier]

The closer the vote the worse the contract. The commercial club or whoever is really calling the shots is waiting to see whether or not the membership is unified. A close vote either way signifies we are divided and they will stick it to us good. Even without a close vote they may still stick it to us - but we have a better chance with a landslide win.

Neither one of them deserves my vote because they both have done a horrible job. I wouldn't participate in Friday's vote were it not for self interest. Unfortunately, our next contract is in the balance and I can't see a new team coming in and successfully negotitiating on our behalf at this late date

For practical reasons I will hold my nose and vote on Friday even though both candidates have sold us down the river. The representation we get in the near future will be similar to what we have gotten with other elected officials - they talk a good game but fall far short of delivering any meaningful progress.

[1.04]

Lynch and the contract

Dear 6.16 “ Anything would be better than the last ( contract ) “
For 35 of my 38 years the UPC ruled the union, That is after they
Decided to give up their TAC days. Here are just a few of the things
They did which were a lot worst than this contract. The dates are a little
Foggy but not the results.

Allowed us teachers to be pawns in social experiments. Like the 1977
Involuntary transfer of Black teachers to White schools and vice versa.
Then making sure all the shop and gym teachers were able to get back.

Keeping their mouths shut for four months in 1979 while the board went
Broke. Then taking us out for ten days to give the board back 5% of our pay.
Don’t forget the wonderful extended pay plan.

Keeping FTB’s in a permanent world of uncertainty for decades.

Allowing the board to charge us for medical in the first place.

Rolling over for the 1995 reform

In 1977, I believe that it was a Federal mandate for deseg. FTB's at least had some job security & seniority. The board was not allowed to just "click" them away! The Stewart team has more classroom experience (they know how it is out there) and definately more Union experience. How many years was Lynch a house delegate? or any other member of her team????

[1.04]

Union Experience

Dear 7.21 It might have been Federal deseg in 1977.but since you remember that do
You remember the Hardship committee set up to review cases?, I do. I remember 7
Black teachers told they were transferred as they got their final checks. All went to
The hardship committee 2 came home both gym teachers. I was amazed as a UPC
Stalwart, and a committee member told us about the hearings. In two years 4 of the five we sent left teaching and 4 who came to us were gone.FTB’s had seniority after all the certified teachers even if they were in the system much longer. I notice none of the other items I mentioned were addressed. Wonder why

'77 Federal Desegregation Court Order

'79 Board Bankruptcy

Extended Pay? Members wanted it and had been asking for it in contract proposals for years. They wanted to be paid over the summer during those lean years when there was no summer school.

At least FTBs had rights.

'95 State Reform Act

Did you want the members to strike against the legislature or refuse to follow a federal court order? Our contract is with the Board of Ed. State and Federal Law take precedence.

Southside Soldier.....

On what basis are you judging the current leadership? They haven't as yet negotiated a contract. After this happens, you'll have a perfect right to give your opinion. We have proof in the contract that Lynch was horrible, but until the new group negotiates one and we see it in writing, we have nothing to judge them on. The proof will be in the Pudding.

[no fool]

there's no question that lynch was the worst president CTU has ever had. She's back in the schools where she belongs, even tho she managed to escape the residency requirement, unlike the rest of us. Go Marilyn Stewart!

[whose union is it anyway?]

shame on lynch. she ought to be hanged for what she did to our contract. and now she wants back in? in a pig's eye!

[Alexander]

how did lynch get out of the residency requirement?

I pray Deborah Lynch is trounced and that we never have to see her face or name in print again. Her remarks at the House of Delegates were embarrasing.

Lynch brought back a contract with no details of the costs of healthcare or what the plans were. How could people have voted for the empty plan that continues to cost you more every time you get a raise because it is a % of your salary

If Lynch was elected again it would guarantee another horrible contract! I know a few teachers that were great teachers that were fired because of the contract she negotiated.

[Lydia Bullock]

Debbie Lynch is a liar. She stuck it to the members with her lack of experience in negotiations.