The Chicago Teachers Strike of 2019 has taught us a lot about effective organizing in the 21st century. This strike, which lasted for 11 days, was the longest teachers’ strike in the city’s history. It drew the attention of the whole nation and highlighted the importance of teachers as a group whose demands for better working conditions and pay cannot be ignored. This strike was a lesson to everyone about the importance of collective bargaining and the power of young people’s involvement in social justice movements.
Teachers’ Demands
The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) went on strike to demand better pay, smaller class sizes, more support staff, and better working conditions for teachers. The educators also called for the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to invest in affordable housing for families, expand sanctuary protections for immigrant students, and reduce standardized testing. The union also urged policymakers to stop giving tax breaks to corporations and invest in public education instead.
It is important to note that CTU’s demands were not only for themselves, but for their students and their communities. The union recognized that the issues they were fighting for were not only affecting teachers but also impacting students and families in their communities. Teachers were demanding that their students have better resources, more opportunities, and a better learning environment where they can thrive.
Young People’s Involvement
One of the most inspiring aspects of the Chicago Teachers Strike was the involvement of young people. Students of the city’s public schools were among the most vocal supporters of the teachers’ demands. Thousands of students joined their teachers on the picket lines to demand better schools and resources for themselves. They also held a rally with the CTU, marching alongside their teachers to demand the respect and investment in their education they deserved.
The strike showed young people the importance of getting involved in social justice issues and standing up for what they believe in. The involvement of these young people also highlighted the importance of intersectionality in movements. The CTU recognized that the issues facing their students and communities were interconnected and they advocated for those issues as part of their strike demands. This intersectionality made the movement stronger and more impactful, and it showed young people that the struggles of different groups are intertwined and that working together can bring about change.
Collective Bargaining
The Chicago Teachers Strike showed the importance of collective bargaining in achieving better working conditions and pay. The CTU was able to negotiate with the city and win significant gains for teachers. The union was able to secure smaller class sizes, more support staff for schools, and a pay increase of 16% over five years. The strike also highlighted the importance of strong unions to protect workers’ rights and to ensure they are paid fairly for their work.
The strike also showed the power of collective action in achieving social justice goals. The CTU was able to galvanize support for their cause by enlisting other progressive movements in the city such as Black Lives Matter and the Fight for $15. The strike showed that by working together, different groups can have more strength and be more effective in bringing about change.
In conclusion, the Chicago Teachers Strike was a lesson to us all about the importance of organized labor, community involvement, and intersectionality in bringing about change. The strike showed that collective bargaining is an effective strategy for achieving better working conditions and pay, and that the involvement of young people and other progressive movements can strengthen and amplify the message.
