Boston Teachers Slam Emanuel In Full-Page Sun-Times Ad
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Boston Teachers Union has taken out a full-page ad in the Friday Chicago Sun-Times, chiding Mayor Rahm Emanuel for what it calls mischaracterizations, when the mayor used their settlement to make a case against Chicago teachers.
As WBBM Newsradio's Mike Krauser reports, the ad reads: "Dear Mr. Mayor: We understand you referenced our contract settlement. We'd like to point out a few fatal flaws in your characterization of the settlement."
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Mayor Emanuel on Wednesday told reporters at City Hall that Boston teachers had settled their conflicts about teacher evaluation and teacher recall without resorting to a strike, unlike Chicago teachers.
The ad begins by noting that teachers in Boston have voted unanimously to support the Chicago Teachers Union.
"Their fight against your corporate-driven policies has captured the attention of teachers around the country, and we are proud to join with millions of others in sending our full support and admiration to the CTU. The CTU is standing up for what we all believe in," the ad says.
It goes on to say teachers in Boston whose schools have closed have a seniority-based right to obtain positions in other schools. The deal is the same when there are layoffs, the ad says.
"We support the right of Chicago Teachers to obtain similar protections. To deny hard-working professionals this right is to deny that experience and training matter in education our youngsters," the ad says.
Regarding performance evaluations, the ad says, "At some point, student test score data will be used as one of multiple measures to determine part of the teacher's ratings." It says there is no set percentage, and the issue was not part of the settlement.
The ad wraps up: "Perhaps you can learn from us – and begin to treat your own teaching force with the same respect."
The Chicago Sun-Times has also issued an editorial railing against Emanuel's comments.
