Current Actions

• Justice for Youth Connection Leadership Academy Students and Staff

  Charter school teachers and staff  are standing up and making their voices heard! On May 21st, the teachers and staff at Youth Connection Leadership Academy formed a union with The Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff, Local 4343.
  
  Two days later, the unionizing staff received letters from their school management, Youth Connection Charter School, stating they recommend that the school’s Board of Directors vote to close or restructure the school.  Management intends to fire the entire staff and potentially displace hundreds of at-risk students unless the board votes to keep the school open.
  
  Tell the YCCS board of directors to do the right thing! Use the form below to send an email urging them to keep YCLA open and recognize the teachers’ union!

• Murat Surucu: Stop subverting teachers' rights!

  The teachers at a Chicago Math and Science Academy, a charter school in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, are standing up for their rights as teachers and workers.  In June 2010 they decided to join the Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff (ACTS) with the hopes of quickly attaining a contract that works for students, the CMSA community and teachers. 

   

  Unfortunately, the CMSA Board of Directors has decided to walk away from contract negotiations (see the Chicago Tribune article for more information).  Murat Surucu, a resident in radiation oncology at the University of Chicago Medical Center, is a member of the CMSA board of directors.  Please sign this petition urging him to come back to the bargaining table immediately! 

• Sulejman: Stop Breaking the Law!

  Negotiate with Teachers Now!

  Sulejman F. Dizdarevic--attorney with Belongia, Shapiro & Franklin, LLP--and his fellow Board members at Chicago Mathematics and Science Academy are subverting the rights of their teachers and violating Illinois labor law by refusing to negotiate a contract. 
  

  Read a Chicago Tribune story about CMSA's legal games.

  In June, teachers freely chose to form a union to improve their working conditions and the learning environment of their students. They followed Illinois labor law and have been recognized as the legal bargaining representives for the school's teachers.
  
  It's time Mr. Dizdarevic--attorney and CMSA Board member--followed the law too.
  
  Send Sulejman Dizdarevic an e-mail telling him to respect teacher's rights.
  

  Please be forceful but respectful in your message.