The Chicago Teachers Union is negotiating a new contract with the public school system, demanding an extra $50 billion for wage hikes and other requirements. Despite the union’s underwhelming results in student performance, President Stacy Davis Gates is pushing for a 9% wage increase each year until 2028. The union also wants additional pay incentives for teachers and counselors and a retirement bonus for long-serving employees. The average teacher’s salary in Chicago Public Schools is expected to double by the 2027-2028 school year, according to the conservative nonprofit Illinois Policy Institute.
The union’s influence in city politics is significant, with ties to Mayor Brandon Johnson who received substantial funding from CTU during his campaign. The leaked demands include calls for full coverage benefits for abortion care, fertility treatments, and mental health counseling. The union also seeks funding for migrants, proposing $2,000 per migrant to support academics, transportation, and mental health. Additionally, they want each public school to have a “newcomer liaison” for new and migrant students and unused school facilities to be converted into housing for migrants. They also aim to enforce LGBTQ+ training for educators and have gender-neutral bathrooms in every school.
Criticism of the union’s demands has come from Mailee Smith of the Illinois Policy Institute, who sees the demands as more of a political agenda than a serious contract negotiation. Smith questions the need for such extensive demands that go far beyond supporting teachers and promoting students’ education. The requirements would require a significant financial overhaul and potentially higher taxes for residents. Smith argues for neutral representation in negotiations to protect the financial interests of Chicago residents.
Despite the staggering demands, the union is pushing forward with its plan, which would significantly change the landscape of the public school system in Chicago. The leaked document details the extensive requirements, including paid abortions for members, new migrant services, and LGBT-related training. The union’s plan reflects their desire for more power and social activism, which goes beyond the traditional scope of contract negotiations. The union’s bold stance and audacious demands have sparked debate and raised concerns about the impact on taxpayers and the broader community.
The union’s demands have placed Mayor Brandon Johnson in a difficult position, as he has received substantial funding from the CTU and is closely tied to their interests. The leaked proposals also highlight the union’s priorities, focusing on issues like abortion care, fertility treatments, and migrant services. While the union is advocating for its members’ rights and benefits, the broader implications of the demands on the public school system and taxpayers are significant. As negotiations continue, the outcome will have far-reaching consequences for both educators and students in Chicago.
