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"The United Association for Labor Education firmly support the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), AFT Local 1, in their efforts to secure a fair contract that will enable them to give their students the best opportunities."

Thus begins a Statement of Support for the CTU voted on Sept. 13 by the UALE Executive Board. Noting that the CTU has already agreed to work a longer day, the statement points out that the teachers are fighting for the best interests of the students, not just for themselves.

The UALE EBoard urges members to circulate the statement and get their own organizations to pass and publicize similar resolutions

Read the full statement below.

Statement of Support for the Chicago Teachers Union by the United Association for Labor Education, adopted September 13, 2012

The United Association for Labor Education firmly support the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), AFT Local 1, in their efforts to secure a fair contract that will enable them to give their students the best opportunities. We applaud the CTU which has already agreed to a longer school day—and offered ideas to make it not just a longer day but a better day by investing in art, music and other subjects that expand and enrich our children’s minds.

We support the CTU members in their quest for a fair, substantive contract that gives students and teachers what they need to improve Chicago’s public schools which includes:

• Additional professional development and teacher training to help to prepare Chicago teachers for new curricula.

• A fair and effective evaluation procedure. Teacher voice and experience need to be included in any evaluation process. The district’s evaluation process places too much emphasis on the results of high-stakes tests, which narrows the curriculum and does nothing to improve instruction.

• Fair compensation and benefits for Chicago’s teachers, who have already agreed to a longer school day.

• Smaller class sizes, investments in neighborhood schools and additional services for students. Chicago students deserve—and parents want—smaller class sizes to foster improved teaching and learning. And Chicago teachers are calling for investments in healthcare, social workers, additional meal services and other programs to ensure that children receive the support they need to succeed in the classroom.

• Stable schools and communities. With reported district plans to close up to 100 neighborhood schools, Chicago’s teachers, educational support personnel and community members are justifiably concerned about the stability of their schools and their neighborhoods. The members of the CTU are concerned about job security and the effect churning has on their students and their schools.

The United Association for Labor Education stands with our brothers and sisters in Chicago and adopt and publish this resolution of support for their quest for a fair contract.