Rahm Loves Teachers
- The Chicago Teachers Union said Tuesday that the school district is asking teachers to take a 7 percent pay cut in their next contract, an offer that portends tough negotiations in the weeks to come.
The union did not specify how the proposed pay cut would be implemented and the district did not respond to questions. CTU officials in a news release accused the district of deliberately undermining its finances and said the pay cut proposal appears to be retaliation for union opposition to Mayor Rahm Emanuel's re-election.
"With rising housing, health care and food costs, we can't afford such a big hit in our paychecks," CTU Vice President Jesse Sharkey said. "On top of that they expect us to pay more for health insurance and work longer hours in classrooms that are overcrowded and with fewer resources. That will not happen."
So we can expect the CTU to be supporting a republican in the near future? In the meantime, plan on an extended summer break for the kids, extended summer hours downtown for protestors and extended coverage of Rahm's drive to push the CPS into insolvency.
Labels: city politics
posted by SCC at 12:33 AM
89 Comments:
Pay Back is a bi@#!
Of course if CPS declares bankruptcy all bets are off.
One of the greatest single lies that Rahm has told repeatedly is about the renewed success occurring at the City Colleges of Chicago. It is all political propaganda and pure public relations bullshit. Students are being passed and graduated who are illiterate. Political cronies are being favored for major construction contracts. Pinstripe patronage rules the day. Unlike the CPS, which provided the model for the CCC, a system that was developed later, the colleges are not yet broke. This is why the Mayor and his allies are busily looting the colleges. The present CCC Chancellor is a former bankrupt with no background in higher ed. She is a suburbanite who worked for Commonwealth Edison. Her city residence (pay no attention to her house in the burbs) is a rental apartment with Higginbotham as her landlord. It smells.
Raising healthcare costs??? How can they be when they can have Obamacare.
How's about one more time. Per CPS, the average teacher makes $75K a year. The average teacher doesn't work 3 months out of the year. If you think this is deserved/fair/reasonable you are an illogical sheep. Why not work a full year and max out at $75k after 20? That I can argue for. The current pay schedule is a ridiculous and only that high because the CTU plays the equivalent of the race card with "it's for our children's future, think of the children" every time their contract negotiations come around. Hell, pay them the same as police and fire just work a full damn year for it. And I have checked my facts you "QED" tool.
Which "pro labor" republican do you recommend Rauner? Well at least he didn't lie about what he wanted to do to the unions and to our pensions.
I could be wrong, but don't the teachers only pay 2% into their pensions or something along those lines?
The 7% cut would put it in line with police and fire paying into their pensions at 9%.
The CTU says they only pay that amount because they don't get S.S., well neither do we.
I respect what the teachers do, and understand what many of them deal with. I just don't buy into all the, "I work xxx amount of hours working at home."
There is no way your entire day at school is confined to strictly teaching class. How many teachers have a teacher aid or assistant? What is that for anyway? You cant correct homework or tests at school? How many tests do you issue that you are constantly working from home?
If you teach a subject like math, how does your lesson plan change after teaching the same class after 5 years? math is still math no matter what year it is. As a an officer it's the same way. Complaints, bad guys and most reports are the same. After 5 years you have a handle on everything and the paperwork gets easier and faster. How is it not the same for teachers?
How Much Do City Employees and their Employers Contribute to their Pension Benefits?
Employees’ contribution rate: approximately 8.81% (*five funds’ percentages vary from 8.500% to 9.125%)
Chicago Teachers: 9% (*CPS pays 7% under collective bargaining agreement, and 2% is deducted from employees’ gross pay)
Source http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mayor/iframe/just_the_facts.html
So what is wrong with that?
7% is better than 10%. 7% is a LOT better than a 20% cut.
What do you guys think has been happening in the private sector in the last decade?
I have seen skilled (and degreed) people having to take 40-50% cuts - and that's if they could find a job here in Illinois.
I have said several years ago on this blog that the Tsunami of pay and benefit cuts would finally hit the government sector since it already hit the private sector.
It had to. The taxpayers, what's left of them, aren't making as much money as they did before.
I didn't see anyone on welfare take a 20-30% cut.
I saw a LOT of my friends take pay cuts of 20-50% - or more. Those who stayed at one place may have gotten no raise in the last 4-5 years and some saw bonuses cut.(in effect - they got a pay cut)
At a big bank, someone I knew took a cut in bonus from $20,000 to $18,000 then the next year it dropped to $3,000 and year after that $4,000. (Performance reviews - high, not low, every year - cut was never explained - others took similar cuts there)
Base salary in those same years went from $98,000 to $98,000 to $100,000 to $101,000.
Do the math. The first year of that total comp was $118,000 to $116,000 to $103,000 to $105,000.
Across the 4 years, total pay dropped over 11%.
Oh, and at the same time, Blue Cross Blue Shield Contribution for husband and wife went from $430 a month to over $600 a month out of the pay check. That's about $2,400 MORE a year to get same coverage. In effect, another pay cut of about 3 to 4%.
Don't think we're complaining. We all had to adjust to the "new economy".
"Hey, welcome to the Party, Pal!"
I wonder if Lewis' assistant Jessie Snarky remembers no too long ago when the CTU demanded a 30 percent pay raise over 2 years for all teachers.
These disputes between CPS and CTU always boil down to 2 questions: 1) Who has bigger balls Karen or Rahm? & 2) Ultimately how broke is Chicago?
We all know the answer to these will always be "Karen" and "very".
He'll start hiring contracted teachers with no health ins, no pension.
AFTER the election...
More fun to come. Ride 'em, property tax. Kiss more bus routes goodbye, etc.
"CHICAGO (CBS) — More than 50 people gathered in the alley next to the Community Counseling Centers of Chicago on Clark Street this afternoon. Employees and clients are demanding answers after the clinic announced it was abruptly closing its doors on May 31.
“We need to know what happened, why it happened and what’s going to happen now. These people need answers. This is unacceptable,” cried Maya Joseph Brooks, marriage and family therapist.
"Brooks is one of more than 250 employees who are losing their jobs.
"C4 cares for more than 10,000 patients, including children, each year and employees say they were notified via email that all its clinics are closing their doors in a move mental health care experts say will be devastating for its patients.
“These workers were given three days’ notice that their health care was going to be terminated. These are health care workers without health care. They also received notice a month out that these jobs would be terminated without any clear path of transition...”
"The center was founded in 1972 to help people released from psychiatric hospitals into Edgewater and Uptown. Over the years it expanded to five locations...."
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/05/05/mental-health-workers-clients-protest-closing-of-north-side-clinic/
RahmRaunerLLC just getting started...
Old Greek saying -- "I like a thief, but I love you, Johnny!"
*
Wait I thought Rahm's campaign ads said he's changed..... you mean to tell me that he hasn't? Rahm lied?
Scandalous.
"...Rahm's drive to push the CPS into insolvency..."
...so that some more schools can be shut down, and others converted into UNO Hispanic charter schools teaching "No human being is illegal" and other aspects of militant "liberation theology."
Viva Chavezmo! Out with the red ball casps and red T-shirts and bullhorns.
"The people! United! Shall never be" etc.
Rahm showed up late to the memorial at FOP on tuesday. He and Dean are good friends, he said so. At the memorial, dean also had nerve to throw FOP politics in his speech when introducing the mayor (what a disgrace). Dean also compared the mayor to Brad Pitt.
My better half is a CPS Teacher and was told by her union rep: "Better Save UP, looks like we my need to STRIKE".. Going to be a long summer....
This is all plan to bankrupt public schools, so Rham can get kick backs from more charter schools! Do more with less unless your with the in crowd! Funny cut teachers salaries but the board can pay Byrd Bennit to stay home and pay her full contract( connected). What about all the other non bid contracts for CPS. (Connected). The waste of Aramark! (Connected). Once again the city has money for what they choose (connected) and not the kids!
F*ck You, Lewis, says our 'kinder and gentler/I hear your voices' Mayor.
People still think that Karen Lewis schooled Rahm in the last contract. Not true. She sounded good on TV - but in the end teachers got to work a longer school day for no pay - teacher Tenior/seniority was lost (they fire the highest paid by simply lowering their evaluations) and got very little pay increase. Plus they have to work like 34 years to max out on a pension (assuming one will still be there). I loved seeing the sea of red walk out to the picket lines - but teachers panicked after a few days on the strike lines - This time - walk out in unity - and stay on those picket lines until you get a fair deal.
Push the CPS to insolvency? CPS has been there for decades. Along with Chicago and Illinois. Federal Bankruptcy court is guaranteed. The only question is when?
It's paying their fair share into pensions. We pay 9%, they pay 2%. All this does is bring them on a level playing field with every other union. When you work straight days, weekends and holidays off, and summers off don't look to those of us who actually bust out asses for sympathy. You knew the pay when you went into teaching. Deal with it. Strike and the public will turn on you this time
We next?
FOP better get its B.S. in order if they could not handle little Mikey Shields what is the hope they can handle Rambellina.
With rising housing, health care and food costs, I can't afford such a big hit on my paycheck! I get a 1% raise every year! Not even cost of living. Yet, every six months, there's the charge on my property tax for Board of Ed!
The city trade unions are next...then cpd and cfd.
Can you say "Strike City"?
Now, kees me you fool!!!!
Let us not forget that CPS also feeds these little cherubs too! "Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, all on the taxpayer's dime. Aside from buying votes, what better way for Rahm to get support? Some things just never change....
Is it any wonder that he want to use the teacher's pay raises to pay to buy votes? CPD and CFD are probably next.
Hmm,I thought Rahm was supposed tp be the education mayor.
Gee, everybody else has to pay more for insurance now. Why should teachers be special? With the product (students) they put forth, looks more like pay cuts for failure.
This is a well choreographed plan by Rahm and his people. They declared war on CTU and have won 2 battles. He closed a bunch of schools after the srtrike and withstood a strong push by CTU to unseat him. Next up is CTU strike II . He's picking a fight right now . Next up is the strike followed by more school closings, more charters, and eventually bankrupting CPS with the ultimate goal of restructuring the system and more importantly the pension system. All of this is of course my humble opinion but it could prove an important sample experiment for doing the same thing with the City of Chicago.
The same Rahm N Noodle that closed 50 schools? No money for schools but tens/hundreds of millions for private companies to run crappier school?!Speed cameras that do not increase safety but end up costing more in the long run? A stadium for a well to do private university that does't need one? 55 million dollar Maggie Daley Park? 10 million for Whole Foods to buy land? Rahmn N Nooodle and Ramen Noodles are both unhealthy for everyone. We should stay away from unhealthy things?
I just read the Tribune article referencing the Teachers proposed pay decrease. Nowhere did the article indicate that the 7% decrease is the difference between the 2% pension contribution they make and the 9% we pay.
Off topic i wanted to post this in a lower thread but figured nobody would read it. Does anyone know how we would go about breaking away from our union and possibly joining another union or starting our own. My reasons for saying this are why is it our union is usually run by a detective who wins as president? These guys have no idea what a beat copper goes through on a daily basis. Also why can retirees vote? I understand maybe giving them a trustee or two to vote for to be a voice for retiree issues. I know what people will say, nobody on the job votes, nobody runs yada yada. This job has truly change a lot in my short 10 years on. Look at how top heavy our union is how many Vice Presidents do we need? These union types have been living high off the hog for far to long. I think it is time to look past all this teenage schoolgirl bullshit the last few administrations have engaged in and protect the members.
7% CUT???
That's nothing. If they were smart, they would take it.
With all the job pay cuts that have happened in the Private Sector, 7% is NOTHING.
For a school district that is NOT known for its academic accomplishments or high graduation rates, less-than-mediocre teachers should be thrilled that they are not getting salary cuts of 30-40%.
I am sure some will argue here, but go out and look around. Companies have NOT been giving raises and if they do, they are cutting out the deadwood as well as cutting back on benefits.
The Teachers don't want to take a 7% cut? Then, Rahm will be looking for H-1B Visa holders to teach in CPS for a LOT less.
That's what happened in IT and Engineering. Go out to the Motorola campus and see if you can even find one US citizen working as an engineer, let alone one white male (citizen) as an engineer.
Prople (US Citizens) have lost jobs or have taken huge salary cuts to get a job or keep a job.
I am sure the CTU will put up a big stink. Then, they will start seeing teachers replaced by H-1B contractors.
Moody's just announced that their projections is for the CPD pension fund to go insolvent by 2022. They also said that Illinois law provides for the fund to provide benefits, not the city if the fund goes under. The real possibility exists that our payments would be cut by at least 1/2 if the fund goes under as they would pay out only what they take in. Not a nice thought Thank you Mayor Daley as you collect your nearly 200 grand state pension being connected enough to roll your city pension into a Illinois state senator pension. Of course you had the help of Madigan. The alderman are not in danger and are in no hurry to help us.
Average salary of a Chicago teacher is over $71K. Thats the highest average in the nation. City is broke, County is borke, State is broke. Time for EVERYONE to scale back. Its hard to get the public on your side when youre upset about a 7% paycut when you make $71K. A lot of people dont make that in 2 years. The only way the system gets fixed is to end the stealing and corruption, decrease spending, and create new revenue. I feel for any union that has a contract promising certain benefits. But the problem is that the system is unsustainable. The system and politicians suck. Its probably too late to fix it. Most uf us working stiffs get no pension, have to pay much more for health insurance, and have no job security. Is it too much to ask that unions be happy with those things while also having to make cuts. Being a cop sounds like a horrible job. The media and large portion of the public dont like you. You deal with scumbags all day. Thats unfair. Please know that I have the utmost respect for police. I just think change needs to happen at the top, and then filter all the way down. Thank you for the rant. Please know I hope I havent disrespected anyone with my opinion.
"With all the job pay cuts that have happened in the Private Sector, 7% is NOTHING"
Right on, brother! Plus, how can the vendors, the SUPES executives, the Aramark big wigs, the financial gurus, the charter profiteers, the University of Chicago analysts and the kick-back artists afford to maintain their summer homes if teachers don't take a pay cut??
I would be supporting CPS fully if they didn't have piss-poor graduation rates and could produce students who read at their grade level. It comes down to results. Less than half of HS seniors in CPS are academically eligible to attend college. And let's face it - the city has lost 150,000 people since 2000 - you can't afford to have that loss to the taxbase and still keep headcount.
Why do I like charters? No unions. You as a teacher either perform or you don't. It also costs 30% less than public schools to have students perform at a higher rate on reading and math exams.
And 7% paycut sounds awfully nice. In the public sector, I've taken close to 20% (if you factor in costs of healthcare cost increases, etc.) because it's easier to take advantage of H1-B's than hire someone who's done the job and succeeded for 20 years.
I can't believe all the bullshit I'm hearing! You want teachers to take a pay cut when they have to deal with all the bullshit in the classroom the overcrowding the fucked up behavioral kids & all these ridiculous standardized tests?!?!? They deserve a hell lot more & this fucking dictator has a personal vendetta. My wife comes home everyday & isn't able to enjoy a fucking meal or time with myself or the kids because she's always working on school work during the week & the weekends. This fucked up job has consumed her life & yes she is looking for a diff career but can you imagine switching careers after teaching or being the police for 14 yrs?!?!? FUCK THAT you guys are drinking the kool aid!
Teachers are on the front lines in many schools being abused by kids and of course incompetent lazy link card carrying so called parent, not parents but mom multiple fathers, the deserve hazardous duty pay!
Why also do Chicago taxpayers pay pensions for teachers throughout the state of Illinois? Dirty secrets spilled nope well known, no wonder pensions are going belly up. Why are suburban schools not making their highly taxed homeowners pay the teachers pensions for their respective areas! I know the burbs pay a lot of taxes where does their tax money go? Since they don't pay teachers pensions,are their elected stealing more than ours?
Judging by some of these comments we are some of the stupidest people in Chicago.
We can NOT let Rham & company start screwing with the teachers contract & pay!
Once they get a foot in the door, they will never stop. Next fire & police will be attacked again.
We need to stick together or we all will lose in the end!!!
If you teach a subject like math, how does your lesson plan change after teaching the same class after 5 years? math is still math no matter what year it is.
5/06/2015 01:37:00 AM
English has changed because of the accent.
I would love to see CPS file bankruptcy and then make ALL teachers live in Chicago, like all other city employees. No more residency waivers or grandfathered-in with an older residency policy for CPS employees. Make all CPS employees reapply for their jobs and force them all to live in Chicago.
Not a teacher supporter here, most are left wing dummies, but, how can you really blame them for low student achievement or graduation rates? Look at who they are teaching. They feed the little mutts and try to teach idiots. How can you have achievement with 70 iq nitwits and their parents are as stupid as the children.
Governor Rauner is going to get the new hires to go into a 401K type of retirement and freeze the teachers pensions!
Governor Rauner aiming to change the laws to get it done!
It is a test case, you heard it here first and talked about on business channels!
Here is my take...I will gladly talk about my union benefits and pension if we revamp the following first:
1) Illegal immigration---If once cent goes to one illegal immigrant in any type of way I will not talk about my benefits or pension.
2) Welfare---I will not talk about my benefits or pension if we continue to give BILLIONS to people who quite honestly do not deserve it
3) Political Corruption---If the people continue to allow local,county,and state politicians to run amok then FU to talking about my union benefits or pension
I'm sorry but in my line of work I could be hurt or killed, get sh** on from every angle, miss all types of family events, destroy my body over time because of the schedule, and have a life expectancy on average less than ten years the average citizen. If you want me to talk about my benefits and pension...see 1,2, and 3.
You will be next.
Don't think we're complaining. We all had to adjust to the "new economy".
"Hey, welcome to the Party, Pal!"
Stand up for yourself!!!!
Sol Rosenberg said...
Average salary of a Chicago teacher is over $71K. Thats the highest average in the nation. City is broke, County is borke, State is broke. Time for EVERYONE to scale back. Its hard to get the public on your side when youre upset about a 7% paycut when you make $71K. A lot of people dont make that in 2 years. The only way the system gets fixed is to end the stealing and corruption, decrease spending, and create new revenue. I feel for any union that has a contract promising certain benefits. But the problem is that the system is unsustainable. The system and politicians suck. Its probably too late to fix it. Most uf us working stiffs get no pension, have to pay much more for health insurance, and have no job security. Is it too much to ask that unions be happy with those things while also having to make cuts. Being a cop sounds like a horrible job. The media and large portion of the public dont like you. You deal with scumbags all day. Thats unfair. Please know that I have the utmost respect for police. I just think change needs to happen at the top, and then filter all the way down. Thank you for the rant. Please know I hope I havent disrespected anyone with my opinion.
5/06/2015 09:52:00 AM
As a police officer, I have to agree. I tell my colleagues that we too will have to take pay cuts. America is going through a huge transition in it's economy. We are going through a restructuring. It will be painful but it is needed. After 5 years a police officer makes about $80,000 per year. Now most of my colleagues will berate me but that is not realistic and that is no where what the private marketplace would garner. More realistically, after five years officers should be making 55K to 60K per year. In many parts of the country officers make a lot less!
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
--Martin Niemöller
I love how all you "hey we gotta stick together" police/fire 'brotherhood' are so ready to throw everyone else under the bus. Wait till the midget comes after you and demands a pay cut from you! The outrage! The hypocrisy!! I'm almost giddy....
I respect what the teachers do, and understand what many of them deal with. I just don't buy into all the, "I work xxx amount of hours working at home."There is no way your entire day at school is confined to strictly teaching class. How many teachers have a teacher aid or assistant?
What is that for anyway?
Umm, try NONE. Except for in some special education classes. There's not even any TAs in Kindergarten, with 30+ kids!
You cant correct homework or tests at school? How many tests do you issue that you are constantly working from home?If you teach a subject like math, how does your lesson plan change after teaching the same class after 5 years? math is still math no matter what year it is. As a an officer it's the same way. Complaints, bad guys and most reports are the same. After 5 years you have a handle on everything and the paperwork gets easier and faster. How is it not the same for teachers?
It's not all about grading. We are in front of students for about 5 hours each day (the rest of the time is often spent in meetings). During that time, we have to have something to TEACH them. In CPS, many of us aren't given books or any curriculum. We create everything! We find the texts to read, activities to complete, etc. And we are expected to differentiate the work, so different kids at different levels get different assignments. It takes time to find materials online and tweak them for our class, or create our own stuff from scratch. And many teachers do this for multiple subjects.
And things change all the time for us. There are constantly new strategies that administration wants us to learn and try. And with the new Common Core State Standards, the instruction is often much different than before. Even in math. Most parents have a hard time helping with the math homework, since it's no longer being taught the way they learned as a kid.
I understand that times are tough, and teachers may need to give up some things. But, please don't say that we don't spend hours working at home. We couldn't teach all day if we didn't plan and create something to teach.
I see another strike coming at the end of the summer. Extended vacation for the kiddies.
7% cut 7%! Not getting into if teachers deserve what they make, but they go into battle most days trapped in a classroom with how many kids? How many kids are now special education? How many kids are on pills RX to keep they inline? Why? Bad parenting maybe? Parenting is a concept starting at home, but when schools offer 3 meals a day, free transpiration (paid for by us hard pressed people that pay taxes), and then pay some parents to work "safe passage" so their kids can get to school what a disgrace! Parents should be required to get take their children to school its their responsibility, how about stopping the wasteful 3 meal program (ask a custodian or teacher how much food we pay for is thrown into the trash can), parents make the kids a bag lunch answer's here are some!
Lastly why are we the taxpayers of Chicago forced to fund pensions for teachers in the suburbs? yes we do look it up,another burden placed on us Chicago taxpayers! No wonder rahm is wailing about the 550 million owed by Dec 2015 for police pension fund,stop paying others out of this cities pensions you would have extra to fund ours mayor!
Anonymous said...
How's about one more time. Per CPS, the average teacher makes $75K a year. The average teacher doesn't work 3 months out of the year. If you think this is deserved/fair/reasonable you are an illogical sheep. Why not work a full year and max out at $75k after 20? That I can argue for. The current pay schedule is a ridiculous and only that high because the CTU plays the equivalent of the race card with "it's for our children's future, think of the children" every time their contract negotiations come around. Hell, pay them the same as police and fire just work a full damn year for it. And I have checked my facts you "QED" tool.
5/06/2015 01:27:00 AM
You checked your facts? maybe you could work for compstat with your playing of facts. Teachers have a summer vacation from June 21st to August 21st. That is not 3 full months. Then consider how many teachers must attend mandatory training doing their summer break. During the school year, the board took their free time away and have mandatory meetings. Free time is used to prepare lesson plans. Teachers complete work at home every day or start work very early to complete the mountain of paperwork for free. I cannot imagine the CPD doing anything for free. No go back to your basement apt, Francis.
Anonymous said...
I could be wrong, but don't the teachers only pay 2% into their pensions or something along those lines?
The 7% cut would put it in line with police and fire paying into their pensions at 9%.
The CTU says they only pay that amount because they don't get S.S., well neither do we.
I respect what the teachers do, and understand what many of them deal with. I just don't buy into all the, "I work xxx amount of hours working at home."
There is no way your entire day at school is confined to strictly teaching class. How many teachers have a teacher aid or assistant? What is that for anyway? You cant correct homework or tests at school? How many tests do you issue that you are constantly working from home?
If you teach a subject like math, how does your lesson plan change after teaching the same class after 5 years? math is still math no matter what year it is. As a an officer it's the same way. Complaints, bad guys and most reports are the same. After 5 years you have a handle on everything and the paperwork gets easier and faster. How is it not the same for teachers?
5/06/2015 01:37:00 AM
Have you ever had a talk with a public school teacher and discuss their actual schedule? How lesson plans change every year based on politics of the school board? Teaching assistants are for special ED if they are lucky. The paperwork and documentation demanded by the school board increases every year. Why are we slamming another profession? Let them fight for their benefits. At least they have a real union that is proactive.
Teachers should NOT take the cut. They should stand firm & strike.
Stand firm and let the idea of sending CPS into bankruptcy in order to right the system get real traction.
Let filing bankruptcy become the Administration's strategy and the Union will be back at the bargaining table agreeing to take a 25% cut before they file bankruptcy.
Oh the state Constitution "guarantees" the pensions?
Not if you bankrupt the agency and then ALL bets (and contracts) are off. You have to re-negotiate for crumbs.
Ever been to bankruptcy court? Those lawyers will slice and dice ANY union lawyers. And if the idea gets traction with CPS, you know they will go the same route with CPD.
And FOP is going to come to the rescue????????? Not those boneheads. Dream on.
In bankruptcy court, you might get 10-15 cents on the dollar - IF YOUR LEGAL REPRESENTATION is GOOD.
You got FOP (you got Dick) - you'll be lucky to get a nickel on the dollar.
Fight against a 7% cut? CPS Union will be begging to go back to that number when their backs get broken in bankruptcy court.
Rauner knows how to cut expenses - and so does Rahm.
Pensions are over-bloated and underfunded. See how fast they slice through all the "safeguards" you have been sold to be Ironclad.
Think Pensions are "untouchable"? Here, I'd like to sell you some Bulletproof Vests made out of Styrofoam.
Not a LEO, JAFO
I don't think anyone should take a pay cut until the 50 thieves stop taking annual cost of living increases.
Oh, and their staffs as well.
Why just teachers? Why not cut central office, network and school administration's pay?? Cut Byrd-Bennett's crew of corrupt 6-figure assistants. CPS pisses money away, and teachers are supposed to pay for it?
My suburban school district has a levy on my tax bill for teachers pensions. Believe Chicago taxpayers pay more in pensions but CPS gets a helluva lot more state and federal aid per student than many suburbs. Not sure if it is a wash..
er 11%.
Oh, and at the same time, Blue Cross Blue Shield Contribution for husband and wife went from $430 a month to over $600 a month out of the pay check. That's about $2,400 MORE a year to get same coverage. In effect, another pay cut of about 3 to 4%.
Don't think we're complaining. We all had to adjust to the "new economy".
"Hey, welcome to the Party, Pal!"
Wait til they try and take away your SS benefits. That you paid into -
Why not start charging some tuition for public schools $500 a kid per year x hundreds of thousand school kids. The time for free education has passed.
Before you all start complaining about teacher salaries and graduation rates just remember how they are currently mandated to teach about the Burge torture cases instead of Social Studies right now. Wait! What was that? Oh yeah...the sound of your pensions being given away as reparations. Thanks CPD!
Anonymous said...
....Free time is used to prepare lesson plans. Teachers complete work at home every day or start work very early to complete the mountain of paperwork for free. I cannot imagine the CPD doing anything for free. No go back to your basement apt, Francis.
5/06/2015 06:50:00 PM
_________________________________
Face it - you aren't telling ALL when you whine about "the hardships of teaching"
What a crock!!!!
Go to any inner city school and look at the teachers' parking lot five minutes after the last bell rings - it's EMPTY.
What teachers stay later? Do they stay to help any kids??? If they did, maybe they could raise the graduation rate from 40% to 50%. That's still a dismal number, but at least we could say you're trying.
CPS and its academic standards suck- and it has sucked for decades.
Blame the parents, blame the kids, blame the city - but ALSO blame yourselves -the teachers- for coming in with such a loafer mentality on the job. Deadwood HS should be the name of the place you work at because you are deadwood.
And you mention teachers only get June 21st to August 21st off - not three months.
What about Christmas Vacation? Or, spring vacation? Or all the other Holidays?
I guess your counting isn't too good, probably a CPS grad yourself? Hopefully, you aren't teaching math in the schools.
Sorry but don't cry on our shoulders.
If you think the job is too tough - QUIT. No one is forcing you to come back in September.
Go find a job where you have to work a full year before you get two weeks vacation and after five years, you get three weeks vacation.
Go work where you have to produce something and the quality rate is a LOT higher than less than 50% acceptable product manufactured.
And don't call me Francis.
This city is ruined. If you think we're getting a pension, you thought wrong.
"After 5 years a police officer makes about $80,000 per year."
And you think that is too much?? Try finding a nice rental apartment in a half-way decent area of the city that won't cost an arm & leg in rent. Look at buying a house. Having kids.
If you think $80K a year is too much, refund some of your pay.
And keep that thought in mind at the next killed in line of duty funeral.
Whatever teachers make, whatever their benefits, they are contractually negotiated, won, and earned.
What a continuing victory for this thief mayor to know he can just keep trampling lawful agreements and all anyone says is "too bad for them."
Unions have lost sight and have ruined this city
"I would be supporting CPS fully if they didn't have piss-poor graduation rates and could produce students who read at their grade level. It comes down to results. Less than half of HS seniors in CPS are academically eligible to attend college."
This is what the media wants to you believe. What they don't want you to know is that many CPS kindergarteners begin school without an understanding of the alphabet, without understanding how to turn pages in a book, without understanding how to write basic symbols, and without understanding how to comply with classroom rules.
It goes without saying that a large percentage of CPS high school students do not have strong attendance, do not complete homework under any circumstances, and do not read anything, ever, but that which they are forced to during a lesson. A large percentage of CPS students also sleep (or try to sleep) during school, due to a variety of factors at home.
But, according to you, this is CPS teachers' fault?
Why do I like charters? No unions. You as a teacher either perform or you don't. It also costs 30% less than public schools to have students perform at a higher rate on reading and math exams.
Some charters have unions, and more and more are trying to unionize. And don't believe the hype about them performing better. Most studies show that they perform about the same or worse than neighborhood public schools. Last year in Chicago, most performed worse. And they can't handle the special ed kids and behavior problems. And many are more corrupt and dysfunctional than CPS...
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20141013/BLOGS02/141019962/chicagos-charter-schools-experiment-flops-report
http://chicago.suntimes.com/?p=167471#bmb=1
It doesn't matter what the teachers make or anything else. The bottom line is that if Ramn can do this to them and we are next.
1:30PM is correct....
Stand with the teachers.
1.) We're next.
2.) If the teachers get hosed, will the connected contractors stop stealing at CPS, no. In fact it will get worse. Rahm/Rauner want the teacher's money to give to their friends.
3.) Teaching in Chicago sucks. Teachers have to deal with these stone-age fucks unarmed, we at least have guns. I can't stand being around these kids and their "parents" for more then 10 seconds. All day with them? No thanks.
Guys posting anti-teacher comments are the same assholes who post comments like "they should close this unit or that unit, blah,blah, blah....".
Wake the fuck up.
Yowza! Seven percent? For teachers? They are among the lowest paid, for doing the hardest work. That is unconscionable.
Why is their contract ending AFTER the Mayoral election?i know this was an "option" year - but there shouldn't be "option years". But I guess it doesn't matter - Rahm will just violate the contract by declaring an educational "emergency" like he did last time they got robbed of a 4% contractual raise. Walk out and don't come back til you get a good deal. For most it's free baby sitting anyway
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Why not start charging some tuition for public schools $500 a kid per year x hundreds of thousand school kids. The time for free education has passed.
5/06/2015 10:20:00 PM
Educating our children (not babysitting them or parenting them) is critical to the future of our society and it's in our own self-interest to supply a basic education for every child.
This country needs a better-educated populace, not a less-educated populace, which is what tuition-based 'public' education would create.
You DO know we already pay the tuition for public education, right? It's called taxes. If the money was spent for education, not iron fencing and high-end training seminars and new color-matched office chairs, there would be plenty to fund a proper education for kids through high school.
Anonymous said...
"After 5 years a police officer makes about $80,000 per year."
And you think that is too much?? Try finding a nice rental apartment in a half-way decent area of the city that won't cost an arm & leg in rent. Look at buying a house. Having kids.
If you think $80K a year is too much, refund some of your pay.
And keep that thought in mind at the next killed in line of duty funeral.
5/07/2015 12:10:00 AM
Where do you get this mentality that we deserve the pay and benefits we are currently getting? Our economy is going through a great restructuring. As government workers we have been sheltered from it for a long time.
Guys posting anti-teacher comments are the same assholes who post comments like "they should close this unit or that unit, blah,blah, blah....".
Wake the fuck up.
5/07/2015 09:05:00 AM
Well, I am up and what I see is disaster for the city and the employees and retirees. Everyone seems to know that financial disaster is coming if something is not done with no state bailout in the background. The teachers and board cut a deal years ago to cut their pension contribution from 9% to 7%, a deal that is really unofficial and not backed by the current state law. Their pension fund is in bad shape but not as bad as ours, the CPD, admittedly the worst funded government pension fund in the USA, much worse then Detroit. What is coming down the pike? No body knows, but it sure looks like everyone is going to get a haircut.
I don't normally post, but I just had to say something : you guys get guns and tazors, I get nothing. I have been verbally and physically attacked by students. Their parents are the sh@t you deal with on the streets. You need to stand with us or the tiny dancer will leave you and your ffamilies with nothing. ...laughing as his kids get the best education,safety and security!
Wake the fuck up.
5/07/2015 09:05:00 AM
Absolutely correct. The big picture is you are next!
Cameras, Charter police and reduction in CPD salary by 50%.
This city is only for welfare bozos, hipsters and illegals aka 2015 slaves and the wealthy.
At this rate Ramulus is going to turn us into the working and very poor dinosaurs that we are.
With drastic cuts to mental health funding teachers and police are first line encounters with these monsters out there. One cannot just taser, o.c. spray or shoot each mental one encounters, so we should actually get pay raises. The overly inflated, always votes to take a pay increase politician has security to keep these mutts at least double arms distance. When is their real pay cut coming, for the citizens
I assume most of the readers of this blog and those commenting are police officers. I find it hard to believe that you would bash teachers. Just like police, there are good teachers and bad. I like to think the good far outweigh the bad--just as I like to think the good officers far outweigh the bad. I would think that police officers would sympathize with other misunderstood professions, such as teaching. If you really knew a good teacher (and yes, there are thousands in CPS), you'll know a bit about how they are dedicated to their job and often work a minimum of a 9 hour day (unlike many cops I know). The good teachers aren't complaining about this fact, they just know that this is what it takes to do the job right. (And unless you're a teacher, you really have no clue what the job entails and shouldn't make assumptions.) The 3 months off bullshit is just that--B.S. It's actually about 2 months--UNPAID MONTHS, where the good ones spend lots of UNPAID time in their classrooms getting ready for the new year (and in CPS that usually involves welcoming 25-35 students--with no teachers' assistant) and going to (UNPAID)professional development. So to all you teacher bashers out there, perhaps you should consider the possibility that just like the police bashers out there--YOU'RE WRONG! :)
If the city declares bankruptcy, then all that tiff money will be examined in the mandatory audit. $500 million that's ciphoned away every year
Anonymous said...
How's about one more time. Per CPS, the average teacher makes $75K a year.
Teachers no longer get a pay check for the 2 month summer. They used to be able to defer part of their salary to cover the summer months, but no longer. Most are working a longer day for less pay. Even with the small raises they did get - my friends pay check went down
There are a few lib teachers at my CPS high school who give my cop husband a dirty look when he comes in the building to bring me a coffee. But they're by far the minority. And they're suburbanites working in CPS until they apply to law school or whatever. Most CPS h.s. teachers are academic nerds like me who love the content they teach. CPD cops and CPS teachers are on the same side. Same salary -- within 1-2 1000 per year. Similar amount amount of working days per calendar year (teachers work roughly 10 fewer days). We serve the same population. We have the same concerns about making it in this city. Please get behind CTU, cops. We need you.
Anonymous said...
Yowza! Seven percent? For teachers? They are among the lowest paid, for doing the hardest work. That is unconscionable.
5/07/2015 11:20:00 AM
It is and it is not a 7% pay cut. What the city wants is for the teachers to pay their share of their pension according to state law, 9%. What happened a few years back was a deal between the city and union for the teachers to only pay 2% into their pension. That was really against state law so I think the city has the cards in this one. The teachers pension fund is going broke and if it goes into insolvency, no one really knows what will happen. Illinois law states that the pension fund is responsible to pay benefits not the city. So anybodys guess is that the only money that can be paid out is what is currently coming in which would amount to a 60% cut in pensions. Not a pretty picture. And for all of those non-believers who really think the city is hiding billions in TIFF funds, even Moodys and the Civic Federation state that is just not true. Massive new sources of revenue will be needed and pension concessions from the unions to save not only the pension funds but the city from bankruptcy. That is a fact that is undisputed and what has occurred in other parts of the country to turn things around.
Of course if CPS declares bankruptcy all bets are off.
5/06/2015 12:43:00 AM
Cannot do this under current state law, but the law is in the process of being amended and I am sure this will happen in a few years. Karen Lewis has convinced her followers that the city is hiding money. Smarter people disagree with her. You can't blame the mayor for what is happening all over this country.Chicago is not alone in this mess, but is admittedly in the worst mess.
Teaching public schools n Chicago, or anywhere has to be one of the toughest jobs ever especially considering the human material they have to work with.
I'm sure they are not surprised. CPS teachers knew Rahm was a snake from the git-go
5/07/2015 11:20:00 AM
It is and it is not a 7% pay cut. What the city wants is for the teachers to pay their share of their pension according to state law, 9%. What happened a few years back was a deal between the city and union for the teachers to only pay 2% into their pension. That was really against state law so I think the city has the cards in this one. The teachers pension fund is going broke and if it goes into insolvency, no one really knows what will happen. Illinois law states that the pension fund is responsible to pay benefits not the city. So anybodys guess is that the only money that can be paid out is what is currently coming in which would amount to a 60% cut in pensions. Not a pretty picture. And for all of those non-believers who really think the city is hiding billions in TIFF funds, even Moodys and the Civic Federation state that is just not true. Massive new sources of revenue will be needed and pension concessions from the unions to save not only the pension funds but the city from bankruptcy. That is a fact that is undisputed and what has occurred in other parts of the country to turn things around.
Slow down cowboy. Illinois supreme court just ruled a few hours ago that they cannot diminish our pensions. Additional revenue, they have been finding ways to increase revenues for years thru taxes and fees. Tough luck if they have to raise property taxes. At least that way all citizens of Chicago will have to sacrifice, not just the police by raising contributions. All the property owners benefited by lower property taxes for the last 30 plus years when the city did not put in their required contributions to our pensions.
I am in the teacher's corner but the commenter who claims the teachers and cops work the same number of hours and days, well, that comment is laughable! Over and over I have heard women talk about the reason they go into teaching, and I have never heard anyone say they are doing it for the kids. It is always because they have summers off along with spring break and Christmas break. Common now, lets be honest.
The ultra left-wing, straight-Democratic voting CTU will never get it.
Sol Rosenberg said...
Average salary of a Chicago teacher is over $71K. Thats the highest average in the nation. City is broke, County is borke, State is broke. Time for EVERYONE to scale back. Its hard to get the public on your side when youre upset about a 7% paycut when you make $71K. A lot of people dont make that in 2 years. The only way the system gets fixed is to end the stealing and corruption, decrease spending, and create new revenue. I feel for any union that has a contract promising certain benefits. But the problem is that the system is unsustainable. The system and politicians suck. Its probably too late to fix it. Most uf us working stiffs get no pension, have to pay much more for health insurance, and have no job security. Is it too much to ask that unions be happy with those things while also having to make cuts. Being a cop sounds like a horrible job. The media and large portion of the public dont like you. You deal with scumbags all day. Thats unfair. Please know that I have the utmost respect for police. I just think change needs to happen at the top, and then filter all the way down. Thank you for the rant. Please know I hope I havent disrespected anyone with my opinion.
5/06/2015 09:52:00 AM
No one is stopping any of the "working stiffs" as you say,from getting a better education and working harder to get a better job.
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