PACT: ProActive Chicago Teachers and School Employees

January 2010

Dear Friend of PACT,

This is it--time to be part of the solution for our union!  The May election is just months away and we need your continuing support and investment if we are to take back the CTU for its members.   Our union has lost strength and power and credibility over the past 5 years, along with the closing/turnarounds of 100 of our schools, thousands of lost teacher and career service/PSRP positions, and millions of dues dollars.   Our national union, the AFT, has had to put CTU under virtual receivership due to the Stewart mismanagement and misappropriation of our union's finances.  As of January 1, a new state law provides for an additional 45 more charter schools thanks to the support of our current union "leadership."   Our schools & jobs are in jeopardy and we continue to be the scapegoats for the ills of our system because no one is speaking out/standing up for CTU members.

The PACT team has the strength, the experience and the proven track record to restore the respect we have lost, the working conditions that have been eroded, and the power that we need at the bargaining table, in the legislature and with the media.  Please visit our website www.ProActiveChicagoTeachers.comto review our issues, our accomplishments and platform. 

As you may know, there will be multiple caucuses participating the the upcoming election.  Many members have questioned whether that will only keep the Stewart/UPC group in office.  Because our Constitution requires a majority (50% plus one), not a plurality for winning, it appears that a run-off will be necessary.   We believe that our name recognition, our reputation for honesty, and the achievements of our first term give us a good chance in the election, but we can't do it without your help.  It's time to either join or renew your PACT membership to help us fund what will be an exciting and challenging campaign.   Dues are $35 per year for teachers and $20 for career service/PSRPs and retirees.  For your convenience, you can go directly to our website www.ProActiveChicagoTeachers.comand make a credit card payment, or you make a check out to PACT and send to us at PACT, P.O. Box 543387, Chicago IL 60654

Your membership and any donation you are able to make are greatly appreciated and will help defray the huge costs of a campaign (printing, postage, events, etc).   Doing nothing cannot be an option given the stakes for our union and its members.   As a PACT member, you will get regular updates on union issues and the election, special invites to and discounts on PACT events and activities.  We need your help and we need it now.  Please join or renew today!

Sincerely, 

The PACT Campaign Steering Committee

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

PACT Membership 2010

 Name___________________________________________      

School___________________________________

 Address Line 1____________________________________       

 Phone/cell________________________________

 Email____________________________________   

Teacher ($35)______________  PSRP ($25)  _______________ Retiree ($25)________________

Please return in self addressed stamped envelope.  Thanks so much for your support!