CORE: The Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators 0000

#VoteCORE to #ProtectOurPensions!

Voting ends Friday, November 4th at 5pm

This week, CTU members are voting for Teacher Trustees on the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund Board of Trustees. This election is crucial to ensure that our pensions are protected and that our pension funds are invested in line with CORE’s values. The only candidates with the experience and proven leadership to do the job are CORE’s candidates, Jeffery Blackwell and Jacquelyn Price Ward. That's why they have been endorsed by CORE members Stacy Davis Gates, Jackson Potter, Maria Moreno, and Christel Williams Hayes.

[Photo courtesy of Oscar Sanchez/@oso_campeon on Twitter]

Lauren Bianchi and Chuck Stark are two CTU teachers at George Washington High School on Chicago’s far southeast side. They used their voices to successfully advocate against the move by a major polluter,  General Iron, from an affluent Lincoln Park neighborhood to the working class largely Latinx neighborhood near Washington High School. 

[Link to CTU article on this fight]

[Link to WCPT 820 AM radio show - Sunday Mornings with Brandon Johnson ft. Chuck & Lauren]

Under CORE leadership, CTU has won major gains for clinicians and the students and families they serve. We elected most of our slate on May 20th, and now we need to elect our candidates for CTU Clinician Functional Vice President. Mary and Dennis are currently the co-chairs of the CTU Clinicians Steering Committee and are strong leaders in CTU's fights for justice. Read their biographies here: Mary Difino & Dennis Kosuth.

CORE won a majority of the votes cast in CTU's election. However, a majority was not won by any caucus in the election for the two Clinician Functional Vice Presidents. Because of this, there will be a runoff election for these positions on June 10th between the two caucuses who received the most votes for them: CORE and Members First. Clinicians will receive a mail ballot to vote in the runoff election. These ballots will be sent out on Thursday, May 26th.

CTU Clinicians: we need you to vote for our candidates for CTU Clinician Functional Vice President, Mary Difino and Dennis Kosuth. The votes must be received by CTU by June 10th. When you receive your ballot, fill it out and mail it immediately. Put your ballots in the mail by June 4th to ensure your vote is counted!

We did it.

But we didn’t do it alone. It took each and every one of you, your humanity, your compassion and your commitment.

CORE candidate for CTU High School Functional Vice President Nina Hike writes about how CORE's vision for social justice unionism includes social justice pedagogy.

"CORE believes that students' social justice consciousness is vital to give students equitable learning opportunities centered on real life, not on test prep."

On Thursday evening, May 5th, the presidential and vice presidential candidates for the Chicago Teachers Union election on May 20th faced off and provided a stark contrast of vision, experience, and readiness to lead. CORE’s candidates demonstrated their readiness to lead our union on day one, while performances by candidates for the REAL and Members First caucuses raised serious concerns for the future of our union, should they be elected.

I wanted to take a moment to share my story about why I’m running with you for Vice President of the Chicago Teachers Union and why this campaign means so much to me. If you don’t have time to read on, I hope you’ll consider making a $50 donation to our campaign.

Since the failed education reform of President Bush’s 2001 “No child left behind Act” our nation has seen a consistent increase in standardized testing across the country. As our government has continued to call for more so-called “accountability” measures, CORE has been frontlines of pushing back. A few years ago CORE members were at the epicenter of the opt-out campaigns, and we have consistently pointed out the racist and punitive nature of current assessment practices.