PACT: ProActive Chicago Teachers and School Employees

PACT History & Timeline: Nine Years of Advocacy & Accomplishment

1995- PACT founded by small group of CTU members
1996- First PACT slate runs for CTU office fighting for better a union
1997- Campaigned to restore lost bargaining rights
1998- Campaigned against sweetheart deal of 2% raises; won all HS seats
1999- Court challenge on integrity of 1998 contract vote count
2000- Won constitutional change for school-by-school vote counts
2001- Won 57% of the vote and immediately lowered CTU dues
2002- Won agreement from CPS & City Hall on bargaining rights
2003- Bargaining rights restored; won largest contract gains in years
2004- Supported the successful election of Barack Obama in primary

ESP Wins

1. First ESP Officer in CTU history
2. Annual bonus in addition to 4% raises ($225 per year/approximately an additional 1% salary)
3. Contract language on seniority/layoffs: ESPs no longer employees at will
4. NCLB test reimbursement
5. New NCLB Associates Degree lane; $1,000 increase on salary schedule
6. Start/end times cannot be used punitively
7. ESP discharges will be subject to the grievance and arbitration procedure
8. CPS reimburses CTU P,000 for ESP NCLB Test preparation
9. ESPs with 5 years of service & become teachers go to step 5 (a $5,500 increase)
10. increased from 20 to 30 the number of days of remediation time


Working Conditions Wins

1. guaranteed fourth prep in elementary schools with art or music teacher
2. fourth a.m. prep in 5-day weeks for elementary schools
3. rigorous class size enforcement
4. $2 million fund to remedy oversized K-1 classrooms
5. moratorium on high school advisories advisories
6. revision of Employee Discipline Code to go into effect Fall 2004
7. Partnership Agreement to prevent school closures for academic reasons
8. ended abuse of certified FTBs in vacancies with 7/04 appointments
9. launched principal evaluation study
10. shorter school year in exchange for 15 minute longer day
Economic Wins/Gains

1. highest raises in 4-year period in 20 years in bad economic times
2. additional sick days for top step worth 1/2-1% additional raise
3. unprecedented pension enhancement taken advantage of by 1700 members
4. Members’ Advantage program to stretch salary dollars
5. ESP bonus worth approximately an additional 1% of salary
6. three health care choices at same average current employee contribution
7. significant increases in extracurricular pay and non-instructional hourly rates
8. expanded and improved dental, vision and mental health programs


Political & Legislative Wins
1. restored lost bargaining rights
2. greater voice in school governance through PPLC, enforceable by law
3. won early retirement (5+5) for ESPs
4. won CPS contractual support for teacher 5+5
5. passed legislation for class size reduction
6. passed legislation for "Kindergarten Plus":extra 14 months of kindergarten


The Way it Was

1. CTU was a closed organization run by 2-3 people
2. election/contract votes were not certified or published school-by-school
3. delegates questioning leadership were ridiculed and abused
4. committees were open only to members of the ruling caucus
5. eight years of 2.5% average raises in good times
6. perks and hidden salaries (e.g. 21% additional compensation in annuities)
7. school union meetings were not a priority


Union Democracy Wins

1. permanently lowered dues by 5%
2. honest elections assured by publication of certified votes
3. recovery of $330,000 from previous administration
4. saved $485,000/yr by eliminating fat contracts, chauffeurs & luxury cars
5. established substantive annual delegate leadership training programs
6. established first union developed graduate school in nation
7. opened CTU committee participation with over 400 active members
8. launched Safety & Security initiative
9. created "Views from the Front" series to give voice to member issues10. school union meetings a priority with officers at over 500 schools
12. Field staff directed to visit minimum of 2 schools per week
13. largest grievance win in CTU history: $700,000
14. officer salaries tied to teacher salary schedule for 12 month/8 hour day

Union Solidarity

1. revived the coalition of CPS unions
2. led CPS Coalition in fight to secure agreement on lost bargaining rights
3. worked with Coalition unions in fight to get a good contract for all
4. established mobilization committee to lend support for mass union actions
5. worked with IL labor to elect Democratic majority in Springfield

Community Outreach

1. quarterly meetings with community/parent/education groups on issues
2. work with other groups on common legislative goals
3. new image of CTU as interested in working together to solve problems
4. improved media image of CTU as promoting quality education

Diverse Slate & Staff
PACT Officer/Executive Board slate: 52% minority CTU members
Officers: 60% minority
Overall CTU Staff: 55% minority