IEA leaders slam Illinois Retired Teachers Association. IRTA leaders stand with retirees, the law and justice. | Fred Klonsky

IEA leaders slam Illinois Retired Teachers Association. IRTA leaders stand with retirees, the law and justice. | Fred Klonsky:

IEA leaders slam Illinois Retired Teachers Association. IRTA leaders stand with retirees, the law and justice.

by Fred Klonsky

I received these two letters today that I thought you would be interested in.

Dear IEA-Retired members,We know many of you are members of both IEA-Retired and IRTA. We ask for
your help in talking to your IRTA colleagues about the path they are taking
as it will jeopardize getting a fair and constitutional bill passed.
IRTA has come out saying that they will sue if SB2404 or SB1 becomes law.
Some IRTA members are telling their legislators to vote against 2404 but
others are telling them to vote yes on 2404. Both create concerns as to what
could occur.
Telling legislators to vote against SB2404 will ensure passage of SB1, a
bill that will devastate our members. If it passes and a court case ensues,
there is a strong possibility that the benefit changes will be implemented
while the courts decide. This means major cuts to COLAs for retirees.

Fighting school closings with a vote, in the streets and in the courts.

by Fred Klonsky

The breaking news that the Chicago Teachers Union will go to federal court on behalf of CPS parents to stop school closings has been expected for a while.
It comes on the eve of what will be two powerful events in the City in response to Rahm Emanuel’s plan to close 54 Chicago public schools.
Rahm’s planned closings represent the largest destruction of public schools in American history.
90% of the children who attend the targeted schools are African-American.
I would say that is a civil right violation.
Meanwhile the election for CTU leadership takes place Friday.
The incumbent slate headed by President Karen Lewis is being challenged by a rag-tag coalition of ex-reformers