The article details the near-strike by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) in early April 2025, focusing on the significant divisions within the union and the broader political context. The CTU reached a tentative agreement with the city just hours before a scheduled strike deadline, averting a major disruption. However, the agreement was met with considerable opposition from rank-and-file teachers who felt it did not adequately address their concerns, particularly regarding class sizes, staffing levels, and resources for special education.
The article highlights the role of the CTU leadership, led by President Stacy Davis Gates, in pushing through the agreement despite the widespread discontent. It suggests the leadership was more concerned with maintaining their relationship with the Democratic Party and the city’s mayor than with genuinely representing the interests of the teachers. There was a strong belief that CTU leadership did not have the desire to fight against Trump.
Furthermore, the article places the near-strike within the context of broader political developments, including the rise of Donald Trump and the growing social inequality in Chicago. It argues that the CTU leadership’s decision to avoid a strike reflected a fear of confronting these larger political forces and a preference for maintaining the status quo.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/04/15/aqrx-a15.html