Ms. Chan's 4th Grade Math Classroom: CTU Strike 2012

As we enter day three of the strike, I would like to thank all of parents who have been extremely supportive of all the teachers!

We are on strike for MANY reasons. The media is only portraying the strike as a fight for a raise in our salary. However, it is so much more than that!

We are striking for:
-Class size: The current contract does not have a cap on classroom size, that means a classroom can have up to 55+ students per classroom. This will prevent teachers from providing the one-on-one attention that some students require. The union is asking for the new contract to put a limit at 28 students.
-Fair Working Conditions: The students are in classrooms without air conditioning for seven hours a day. Our kids are complaining about headaches, nausea, and dizziness due to these conditions. In July, of this year, a Cook County Jail shifted prisoners to a neighboring building when the air conditioning went out. The prisoners are getting better treatment than our students!
-Supplies: On average, schools do not receive curriculum/textbooks until the 6th week of school. Within these six weeks, the teachers are creating their own curriculum to bridge the gap between the grade level transition and pushing the kids forward.
-Services: Schools currently do not have full-time counselors, psychologists, social-workers, or nurses. If your child comes to school and gets an injury on a day that the school nurse is not available, the will receive a band-aid or an ice pack and not the proper treatment.

These are just a few of the major reasons that the teachers are on strike. We understand that the current circumstances are hurting our students by not having them in school learning right now. However, we need to stand strong and receive a fair contract to help our students in the long run. The days that are being missed right now will be made up, either during our break in October, during winter break, or at the end of the school year. Please remember, we are not on strike because of our salary. As we are on strike, we are not being paid. However, we are still at home grading papers and lesson planning after we picket and rally.

We are on strike to fight for our students - your children!