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Letter from Linda Porter on Solidarity

Those of us who are interested in reforming the CTU have some serious decisions to make if we want to make this a reality.  We have all explored the possibility of coalescing to form one slate.  It’s is unfortunate that we have not been able to make this happen.  All of us realize that this would be the best way to assure a positive outcome for the May 21st election.   

It’s imperative that all parties understand the extreme difficulty in unseating a sitting administration.   A perfect example was the 560 votes that put the UPC in office after the runoff in 2004.   It’s incumbent on all of us to assure that Stewart doesn’t get the 50% + 1 votes necessary to allow her to remain office.  If so, any chance for reforming and returning the CTU to the democratic union that is spelled out in our Constitution will be lost. 

Since a coalition does not seem to be an option, the CSDU would like to propose an alternative, one that we think will work to achieve this common goal:  We must all work against Stewart and not against each other during this election and then, whichever caucus receives enough votes to be in the runoff,  we must pull together to help that caucus win.   If this becomes a reality, we would hope that the new leaders include members of other caucuses for input and positions in the new administration. 

We ask you to please take this suggestion seriously.  The CSDU has committed itself to this proposal and hope you will join us in this common effort.   In the meantime, good luck to all. 

In true solidarity,

 for the CSDU

The Chicago Teachers Union president should immediately retract all letters to the membership and CPS administrators that are hindering a free and open election in May and, further, that the CTU request that the CPS retract all policies and directives that interfere with our union election.  These anti-member activities are compounding the lack of confidence the membership has in the Union.
 
The CPS and the CTU have actively engaged in activities against the membership to unfairly manipulate the May 21st election. 

The CSDU demands that an immediate written retraction of these letters, policies, and directives be issued.

 By a small 1500 vote margin, the Chicago Teachers Union has passed a Constitution amendment that enables the president to easily eliminate any officer detractors.  The president can now put an officer of her choosing out of office on any trumped up charge by the rubber stamp of her hand picked Executive Board.