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Chicago Teachers v. Rahm Emanuel
Emanuel is a war criminal/corporate predator/ public education destroyer.
by Stephen Lendman
Except for Harold Washington (1983 - 1987), Chicago never had populist mayors. Father (Richard J.) and son (Richard M.) Daley ran the city like their private fiefdom for over 40 years.
In his book "Boss," noted journalist Mike Royko described Richard J. as follows:
"If ever a man reflected a city, it was Richard J. Daley." He was "strong (and) hard-driving." He had Texas-sized ambitions. He was also "arrogant, crude, conniving, ruthless, suspicious, intolerant, raucous, hot-tempered, devious, big and powerful." He was Chicago.
Time magazine said Richard M. "wield(ed) near-imperial power."
Current Mayor Rahm Emanuel matches them and then some. Add war criminal and corporate predator to his credentials. As White House chief of staff, he was part of Obama's war cabinet. As Chicago mayor, he's waging it against labor.
Candidate Emanuel promised draconian anti-worker cuts. Chicago's budget deficit must be attacked, he said. "No sacred cows" are tolerable, he stressed. "Tough choices" must be made.
As mayor, workers struggling to get by are targeted. Slash and burn is policy. Layoffs, wage freezes, and benefit cuts notably affecting healthcare and pensions followed. Teachers were hit hard.
After one month in office, he rescinded a contractual 4% raise owed them. Weeks later, he fired 1,000 summarily. School closings eliminate more jobs. He wants more closed, larger class sizes, longer school days at no extra pay, and other draconian measures creating greater hardships.
He wants Chicago schools privatized and made another business profit center. Richard M. began the process. Emanuel wants it completed. He wants education sacrificed for bottom line priorities.
He wants Chicago schools run by marketplace rules. He wants labor rights abolished. He put bureaucrats in charge of what's best for children. He created a two-tiered, class and income-based system. It favors affluent communities over poor ones.
Teachers have no rights. Poor kids are denied real education. Emanuel's destroying their futures. He's more tyrant than mayor. He reflects the worst of city governance.
On August 30, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) held perhaps its largest ever meeting. Hundreds attended. Presiding officers included president Karen Lewis, vice president Jesse Sharkey, financial secretary Kristine Mayle, and recording secretary Michael Brunson.
A large screen displayed CTU resolve , saying:
