HOD Oct

Report on the Meeting of the House of Delegates on October 6, 2021

By George Milkowski

I. Officer Reports

A. Recording Secretary Christel Williams-Hayes reported that bargaining with the CPS continues, citing the severe problems at Jensen School.  Two parents died and 11 of 17 classrooms are in quarantine.  She asked all PSRPs to make a point to fill out a safety survey, stating that PSRP concerns are not exactly identical to that of teachers.

B. Financial Report Kathy Catalano – Our fiscal year started July 1 and her report is only for one month; until July 31.  At this point we are $1,712,675 in debt, but that is not unusual.  Our expenses continue, but no dues have been coming in and when they do, about 52% of the money collected are passed through to the IFT and AFT., although a good portion of that is rebated over the year.  On the upside, the income we have had in July is running about $80,000 more than in the same period last year.

Dues for teachers for the coming year will be $1,202.80 and for PSRPs it will be $721.68.

C. Recording Secretary Maria Moreno – Maria reported that membership is 27,455 and of that 1,807 are retirees.  I asked how many teachers have opted out of membership, which they can do legally, and she said about 60.  Note: I am a bit concerned over this as last year the figure was closer to 20.  

Maria also said that there is a vacancy on the CTU Board of Trustees.  The Union’s constitution allows the Executive Board to appoint someone to finish the term of the vacant position with the formal approval of the House of Delegates.  A nominee will be presented to the House at the November meeting.  

D. CTU-CTS Report –Jennifer Conant. Jen said that eleven of the thirteen unionized charter schools have reached safety re-opening agreements.  

E. Vice President Stacy Davis Gates  - Stacy said that a week ago AFT president Randi Weingarten was initially denied access to Beidler School.  She opined that this was because it was the first day that Pedro Martinez, the new CEO for the CPS was in office and the CPS didn’t want Weingarten’s visit to overshadow Martinez in the news.  Pres. Weingarten was eventually allowed entry where she lauded the success of Beidler.  Stacy pointed out the Beidler is a one of the sustainable community schools and its success is due to the proper amount of resources devoted to that school.

Stacy reminded the Delegates that the moratorium on evictions has expired and since an estimated 20,000 of our students are homeless, we have a responsibility to help.  Our contract has some provisions to address that but we need to do more.

Stacy concluded her remarks urging support of the CTU-PAC fund.  In a few years we will be electing a representative school board and we need to build a war chest that will help to elect pro-education Board members.

II. President’s Report – Jesse Sharkey

Pres. Sharkey maintained that much of CPS’ safety plans are politically motivated and they ignore the actual safety issues and concerns of parents, students, faculties and staffs.  He said that it is our responsibility to keep each other as safe as possible by making full use of the required safety committees and through our advocacy.  Although Martinez is the new CEO, bargaining with the CPS is still dominated by Mayor Lightfoot.

Jesse said the Board’s line is that COVID is not spreading in the schools, but they are not conducting tests of those in quarantine so the data the Board uses is problematic.  The CTU is working to have the CPS agree to real testing, contact tracing, proper staffing (e.g., the proper number of nurses and custodians) in the schools and an agreed to matrix for when to close schools if needed.

Jesse reminded the assembly that October 15 is the deadline for vaccinations.  Those not vaccinated by then, unless they qualify for an exemption, can be put on unpaid leave.

Lastly, Pres. Sharkey addressed an issue that was raised by a delegate months ago.  She wanted to know if a PSRP may run for a delegate’s position in a school.  He said that the CTU constitution does not allow that, but the E-Board has discussed amending the constitution so that that can take place.  The Union is working on the proper legal wording.

III. Item for Action

A.  A “Resolution on Escalating Actions for School Safety” was presented.  It listed a series of moves the CTU would try to take if there is little progress in negotiations with the Board.  This formalizes things we are already doing.  I voted “Yes” and it passed 93-7%

B.  The CTU”s Housing Committee presented this.  It is a Resolution to Address Homelessness, Foreclosures, and Evictions.  The intent is to have delegates gather as much information as possible on this problem without invading the privacy of students and their families.  The information gathered will be used to refer families to agencies and other sources for assistance.  I voted “Yes” and it passed 94-6%

C.  October 8, 2021, is the 80th birthday of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. and a resolution was presented to honor him for the work he has done.  I voted “Yes” and it passed 94-6%.

IV. Department/Committee Reports

A.  Organizing – Tennille Evans – With the crisis at Jensen School the CTU is working on Parent Outreach.  The Union has a new flyer for parents which addresses health and safety concerns in the schools.  The Union is asking delegates to reach out to parents with the flyers and perhaps stage “walk-ins” on October 15.  Teachers should also reach out to the LSCs.

Tennille stressed that it is imperative to use the safety committees now before a system wide crises develops.

Lastly, the Union is planning a Fall delegate training on-line session on November 6.

B.  Grievance Report – Kathy Murray – Kathy announced that the REACH evaluation procedures for teachers and evaluations for PSRPs have started.

A citywide grievance has been filed on behalf of Special Ed teachers who have been required to cover other classes in violation of our contract.

Kathy concluded by informing the crowd that open enrollment for active teachers for Healthcare and Benefits is from October 25-November 5.

C.  Legislation/Political Action – Kurt Hilgendorf.  Kurt reminded the Delegates that the United Working Families, a quasi-political organization started by the CTU and others, will be having a convention this month on October 15-16.

Kurt said the CTU is eyeing the City budget and trying to put pressure to have the City use a good portion of the $4 billion dollars in COVID relief funds in the schools.

V. New Business/Q and A

Sandra Beck, school nurse delegate, pointed out that the CPS is not hiring new nurses as required by the contract, using a nursing shortage as an excuse.  The Union will follow up on this.

Natasha Carlsen is dismayed that the CPS continues to take advantage of Special Ed teachers in violation of our contract and State and federal law.  The union is aware of this and is keeping tabs on the problem as it develops/