CTU Speaks!

Fresh out of the Hall of Delegates meeting last night in which CTU voted unanimously to strike, Jim and Andrea break down what the next 24 hours will look like with CTU members Rachel Blundy and Linda Perales. They talk about the unreasonable conditions for special education teachers, the disparities between funding and staffing in the city versus neighboring suburbs, and get each other (and you) hyped to hit the bricks, starting today!

In Episode Why of CTU Speaks!, co-hosts Andrea Parker and Jim Staros speak with Chicago Public Schools nurse Dennis Kosuth about what it's like to be a nurse in a public school in our city. But first, they discuss some honest questions posed by a parent who's a friend of Jim. She supports the Chicago Teachers Union's demands for smaller class sizes and full staffing, but doesn't understand some of the CTU's other demands, such as better policies to address homelessness.

In this episode of CTU Speaks!, co-hosts Andrea Parker and Jim Staros begin with a discussion of recent events in the struggle for a new contract. Then they interview CTU legislative deputy Kurt Hilgendorf and CTU legal counsel Thad Goodchild about how Illinois labor law is stacked against the CTU. Next, they bring in two parents — Julie Dworkin and Erica Clark — to discuss the concerns and issues that parents are grappling with at this moment. Finally, they interview CTU Vice President Stacy Davis Gates about life as a parent, teacher, and unionist fighting for education justice. Oh, and there's a surprise guest at the very end too.......

Chicago teachers are voting this week on whether to authorize a strike. This special episode of CTU Speaks!, which we are affectionately calling "Episode Yes," answers all your questions about this vote. Joining CTU Speaks! co-hosts Andrea Parker and Jim Staros are SEIU Local 73 members Antwon AJ Jennings and Luis Bhamundi as well as CTU members Jessica Rosenbaum and Paula Barajas.

CTU Speaks! co-hosts Andrea Parker and Jim Staros begin this episode talking with Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey and Recording Secretary Christel Williams-Hayes about the status of contract negotiations. After a solidarity statement from Dan Montgomery, president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, Andrea and Jim talk with CTU Financial Secretary Maria Moreno and PSRP activist Lashawn Wallace about their experiences of the 2012 strike and what that can teach us about how to advance our agenda in 2019.

Welcome to Episode 1 of CTU Speaks! After introducing co-hosts Andrea Parker and Jim Staros, there's an interview CTU Chief of Staff Jen Johnson about how negotiations for CTU's next contract are proceeding at the bargaining table. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you get alerts about future episodes, and share this episode on your favorite social media platforms.

The Chicago Teachers Union is launching a podcast called CTU Speaks!, which is hosted by rank-and-file CTU members Andrea Parker and Jim Staros. In it, we'll be regularly discussing our union, bargaining for a new contract, and our fight for the schools our children and educators deserve. Watch for our debut episode in the coming days!