As AFN previously reported, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is demanding the increase in pay, even as four in 10 teachers have been "chronically absent" this year and already enjoy a median salary of $95,000.
Now the teachers union is slamming The Chicago Tribune for calling them out and for posing the question, "How much more again does their union expect?"
"It's time for the Tribune to reflect the facts," the CTU argues. "Have they considered how often educators — especially the 75% of whom are women — are on the front lines of both their classrooms and their families? Does the Trib think workers don't deserve sick days, FMLA and parental leave? Educators don't just teach; they sacrifice, care, and persevere."
Linda Harvey, President of Mission: America, says the union needs to wake up.
"What they're saying is isn't it really tough on some of these teachers who are juggling childcare, caretaking responsibilities," she summarizes. "That may be true, and those are very difficult circumstances, but here's the reality: welcome to the real world."
She points out that most people wear multiple hats, "also holding down full-time jobs, also being parents and caregivers. Many of those people don't get the prerogative of being in a world where underperforming women get to whine about presumed misogyny, and then take off several months a year plus additional time."
Meanwhile, the average student proficiency rates in Chicago are extremely low.
"If you're holding a full-time job in teaching, your responsibility is for children to be proficient in reading and math," Harvey submits. "If you can't do that part, you are not entitled to a job."
She advises them to get the help and support they need, but to show up for work and do the job that they have signed on to.
