Chicago Teachers Union Claims Wage Theft by Chicago Public Schools

The Chicago Teachers Union alleges that some educators are not receiving their correct wages, raising concerns about trust and contract negotiations.

Chicago Teachers Union Claims Wage Theft by Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Teachers Union Claims Wage Theft by Chicago Public Schools

Chicago: The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is raising a big red flag. They filed a grievance against Chicago Public Schools, claiming some teachers are getting shorted on their paychecks.

It all started when Alex Rodriguez, a social studies teacher at LaSalle Language Academy, noticed some colleagues feeling their paychecks were off. They compared their current salaries to last year’s and found discrepancies that didn’t match their contract. Rodriguez shared this at a press conference, and it’s clear the issue is still unresolved.

Rodriguez expressed frustration, saying it’s tough to trust the district’s CEO, Martinez, when teachers can’t even rely on getting paid correctly. As a new teacher and a dad, every dollar counts for him and his family.

The district acknowledged the grievance and is looking into it. A spokesperson mentioned that they’re meeting with the union daily to address these concerns.

They’re investigating the claims to see if there’s any truth to them before deciding on a broader audit. If they find any mistakes, they promise to fix them.

Meanwhile, the union believes they’re close to a contract deal. They wanted to finalize everything before President-elect Trump’s inauguration on January 20. But any budget changes need a two-thirds vote from the board, which complicates things.

CTU attorney Latoyia Kimbrough said they made good progress in December, but things have stalled recently. They haven’t seen any movement on financial issues since Christmas, which is a big hurdle for reaching an agreement.

On the financial side, the union wants the salary schedule to keep up with other urban districts. They argue that the current pay structure discourages experienced teachers from staying long-term.

At a recent press conference, CPS officials highlighted the importance of protecting staff positions and proposed a 4% raise for four years, which they say is better than what the union got in 2019.

But it’s not just about money. The union is also pushing for changes to teacher evaluations and reducing excessive standardized testing, which they believe harms both students and teachers.

CTU Vice President Jackson Potter pointed out that these proposals wouldn’t cost the district anything. He emphasized that it’s not just about finances; it’s about goodwill and making meaningful improvements for educators and students.

Goodchild, the union’s Deputy General Counsel, added that they’ve been waiting for CPS to consider their cost-neutral proposals for almost ten months. One of these proposals aims to enhance the elementary school day, giving kids more time for breakfast and play, which would also help teachers prepare better.

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