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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Chicago prepares for possible strike

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Chicago prepares for possible strike:


Chicago prepares for possible strike

Chicago teachers on strike in 1967
Chicago hasn't had a teachers strike since 1987. But strikes were once a common occurrence here. The CTU led nine strikes from 1969 to 1987. In those days, parent and community anger was often directed at the striking teachers. As I remember it, back in '69 even lots of teachers wouldn't show up for for picket duty because they thought such actions were beneath their dignity.

Times have changed. Yesterday's 90% strike authorization vote is but one indicator of how widespread and how deep the anger of teachers has grown in response to the Rahm-led aggressive assault on their collective