PACT: ProActive Chicago Teachers and School Employees

Dear Delegate,                                                                                                          April 2009

As elected school leaders, entrusted by our members to speak and act on their behalf,  I ask you to consider the following, all of which has occurred since 2004 under Marilyn Stewart (who earns $275,000 in annual compensation from members’ hard earned union dues):

Job Losses:                 2,000 teacher positions to charter/contract schools since 2004

                                 2,400 ESP positions completely eliminated since 2004

                                 Total CTU job losses to date:  4,400

Schools Closed:           -  60 CPS schools closed

                                 +67 non-union charter schools opened

                                 +  7 non-union contract schools opened

                                 + 26 (projected in 2010)

Students Gone:           2005         22,400 students

                                 2006        30,600    

                                 2007        40,200

                                 2008        50,500

                                 2009        64,300

                                 2010        (projected) 81,700

CTU Reserves:          2001=  $5,665,925                                                         (Union Teacher 1/02)

                              2004=  $5,600,833                                                         (Union Teacher 2/05)

                              2005=  $ 3,412,533                                                        (Union Teacher 2/06)

                              2006=  $ 2,293,490  + $1.2 mil. deficit                        (Union Teacher 1/07)

                              2007=  $    188,000 + $2.1 mil.deficit + $2 mil. loan  (Union Teacher 3/08)

                              2008=   $   867,968 + $3 mil. deficit  + $3 mil. loan    (Union Teacher 2/09)

CTU AIG Payments to 30 Officers/Administrators/Field Staff  @ 22% addl compensation

(does not include their $18,000 annual pensionable expense accounts + 1 week Christmas bonus)

                              2004=            $       830,000

                              2005=                  1,110,000

                              2006=                  1,460,000

                              2007=                  1,550,000

                              2008=                  1,600,000         

                              Total 2004/08=     $ 6,550,000                                             

CTU Dues:           $1,000/year in 2009

This squandering of our union’s assets must stop.  PACT urges delegates to demand a forensic audit of this misappropriation of union funds, which have gone into the pockets of CTU officers and professional staff.   As our schools have closed and jobs have been eliminated, they have enriched themselves on the back of union members.  It’s a disgrace and CTU members deserve better, so much better.