CHICAGO –Union and non-union workers and their allies shut down the streets around the posh Palmer House Hilton in Chicago on August 9, protesting the Right-Wing American Legislative Exchange Council meeting at the hotel. Unionists from around the country descended on the Second City for the protest, organized by the Chicago Federation of Labor and a host of community allies. […]

Across the nation, districts are announcing hundreds of school closures advocates say will result in “better education.” In March, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett announced the closure of more than 50 public schools with the goal of investing in quality education. “Every student in every neighborhood deserves a high-quality education that prepares them to […]

Spring break is typically a time for students, teachers and administrators to kick up their feet, spend time with their families, go on vacation, or dedicate some extra time to studying, but this year’s spring break in Chicago was different. On March 27, more than 100 teachers, principals, school administrators and other opponents gathered arm-in-arm in front of City Hall, […]

Closing schools should never be used as a quick fix solution to solve larger budget problems. Instead, we should be investing more resources into these schools to ensure that all children, across all backgrounds, ethnicities, and incomes, receive a high quality education.

As President of the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA), AFL-CIO, I am writing to offer the full support of the principals, assistant principals, and other school leaders, to the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU).

We stand united with you in support of a collective bargaining agreement that will ensure the success of Chicago’s educators and students. As fellow educators, we know that reforms will never work unless they are approached in a collaborative manner, and with meaningful involvement by all stakeholders.