Chicago Teachers Union's Radical Demands Slammed Amidst Plummeting Student Proficiencies

The Chicago Teachers Union's (CTU) $50 billion contract demands have come under fire, with critics accusing the union of prioritizing power and politics over student achievement.

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has faced fierce backlash for its "radical" contract demands, which total a staggering $50 billion. Critics argue that the union's focus on political agendas and non-educational priorities is neglecting the urgent need to improve student outcomes in Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

Mailee Smith, Director of the Illinois Policy Institute, expressed concerns about the CTU's demands during a recent appearance on "Fox & Friends." She accused the union of acting in the interests of its members rather than the students they serve.

"They are pushing things that are best for their leaders' political agenda," Smith said. "Other things that we see are climate justice demands, social justice demands, $2,000 per student for asylum seekers, they want housing for new teachers."

Smith pointed out that these demands deviate from traditional collective bargaining, which typically focuses on issues directly related to teachers' working conditions and compensation.

Leaked documents have revealed that the CTU's demands include a 9% annual wage increase for members through fiscal year 2028, which would increase the average teacher's salary in CPS from $93,182 to $144,620 by the 2027-2028 school year.

However, these demands come at a time when student proficiencies in math and reading have plummeted in CPS. According to the Nation's Report Card, only 21% of eighth graders in the city are proficient readers, highlighting the urgent need to address educational gaps.

Smith emphasized the CTU's history of progressive activism and accused the union of prioritizing power and politics over the needs of teachers and students. She noted that the union played a significant role in electing Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former CTU legislative coordinator.

"This was kind of to be expected," Smith said. "Now it's taking this opportunity of having one of its own across the bargaining table to advance its most radical agenda yet."

The leaked demands also address healthcare disparities, calling for 100% coverage of abortion care, fertility, and frozen storage needs. Additionally, the union wants increased funding for migrants, including $2,000 per migrant for academics, transportation, and mental health counseling.

Smith expressed concerns about the union's efforts to downplay teacher evaluations and performance in relation to pay and benefits. She called for impartial bargaining and urged Mayor Johnson to recuse himself from negotiations to ensure representation for teachers, parents, and taxpayers.

"We need to make sure that there is impartial bargaining," Smith said. "Mayor Johnson is not a partial negotiator. What we have in him is collusion with the union, not negotiation. We need him to recuse himself so that there is someone at the bargaining table who is actually representing teachers and parents and the taxpayers within the city."

The CTU's demands have sparked a heated debate about the priorities of teachers' unions and the balance between addressing social issues and improving educational outcomes. As negotiations continue, it remains to be seen whether the union and the city can reach an agreement that prioritizes the needs of students and ensures their academic success.