tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579189847356587096.post8367436705422747553..comments2024-02-14T11:30:29.227-08:00Comments on Facts For Working People: Chicago Teachers: Worst contract in CTU history?Richard Mellorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997976754939725087noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579189847356587096.post-86652847236204640862016-10-26T17:34:10.231-07:002016-10-26T17:34:10.231-07:00Yes the so called left claims just about all defea...Yes the so called left claims just about all defeats as victories these days. There are a number of reasons. One is they do not want to confront the union leaderships who believe that only defeats are possible. In fact i would go further than this. The union leadership do not want victories. If they have victories this would show that victories are possible and this would negate their whole strategy and propaganda that capitalism as it is now on the offensive cannot be thrown back and concessions have to be the name of the game. A good victory would tear at, would undermine this entire BS of the union leadership. And it would also of course tear at an undermine the tame left who support the union leadership. The union leadership and the tame left are united in their fear of big victories. And one way or another unite to see that these are not won. Sean O'Torain.Seanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802923167159509214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579189847356587096.post-67403828243231217292016-10-20T07:09:15.217-07:002016-10-20T07:09:15.217-07:00as an aside. noticed the near 50,000$ difference ...as an aside. noticed the near 50,000$ difference in minimum/maximum salaries. a new teacher c'd be working alongside a "co-worker" pulling down double their salary. <br /><br />i w'd note that at times, union leaders have to make accept a less than stellar agreement if it gains them something. the nature of negotiations. <br /><br />sounds like the author of this article thinks the "gains" have been "symbolic". given what happened after the 2012 strike & agreement, hard to argue with that. <br /><br />the activists supporting the CTU were preparing themselves for an epic battle & i'm sure were surprised by the agreement. i was not because i view unions as limited organizations representing the "current" membership. often (though not always) the interest of new hired, retirees, dependents, the client (in this case, children & parents) base of the enterprise are forgotten or thrown under if the agreement serves the "current" employees. in this case, it doesn't improve their salaries or working conditions. does buy a few years of "peace". the sympathetic left will spin this into a "victory".Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05550476607090397935noreply@blogger.com