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All teachers have final say. It doesn't matter. Up to two weeks are needed to complete thousands of votes and count them. Once strike action ends and classes resume, the train left the station. It'll be too late to stop it.
At the same time, don't expect union head Karen Lewis to support worker rights after spurning them. Last Friday, she practically admitted caving to city officials. She said "this is the deal we got." She also expressed comfort with its terms. Now she calls it a raw deal. She couldn't be trusted in negotiations and can't now.
In Chicago and across America, a tsunami of anti-labor editorials expressed one-sided views. It's no surprise. Corporate media bosses march in lockstep with harmful policy initiatives.
They're disdainful of public education. They want parents denied the best for their children. They want kids deprived of futures. They want profits prioritized. They want privilege alone generously rewarded.
Washington Post bosses are hostile to worker rights. They editorialized several times. Their latest headlined "Chicago's striking teachers' narrow interests," saying:
They and union officials are in it for all they can get. It's all about getting more. "(S)o what if the interests of tens of thousands of children are hurt in the process?"Emanuel "was properly outraged".Chicago teachers (are) among the nation's highest paid. (They) ought to appreciate the city's offer."
Emanuel, corrupt officials around him, union bosses supporting them, and corporate profiteers couldn't say it better. Who cares about teachers, parents and kids when only profits and hardline bossism matters.
A Chicago Tribune opinion piece headlined "Classrooms or chaos," saying:
All eyes are on House of Delegates members. They'll vote Tuesday. "Refusing to go back to work would be a disastrous escalation of this labor fight."
School board officials "offered teachers substantial raises and protections".Contract language".helps Chicago keep pace with education reform".(K)ids and their parents are waiting. Patience is thin. The teachers should be in the classroom."
Terms show they've been cheated. Education is being downsized. Profiteers are getting control. Kids don't have a chance when bottom line priorities matter more than preparing them for futures.
Back-to-back Chicago Sun Times editorials expressed disdain the same way. One came out Monday. The latest headlined "Read the fine print, then end strike," saying:
"Not only did Chicago teachers get a fair deal, the contract is the very best they are going to get. (The) deal represents the outer limits of what the Chicago Board of Education can do, both on salary and on policy."
The editorial claims Emanuel showed flexibility. Lewis "fought for her members and her vision for better schools." Teacher views were respected. Agreement terms were fair and balanced. "Teachers, take a day if you must. Then grab this deal while you still have it."
