Chicago Teachers Are Unified and Unionized at UNO
The teachers and staff in one of Chicago’s largest charter school networks overwhelmingly voted to join the Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff (Chicago ACTS), an AFT affiliate.
The more than 400 educators work at the 13 schools, with about 6,500 students, that are operated by the United Neighborhood Organization (UNO). The election was conducted under a neutrality agreement reached in March in which UNO agreed not to take a position and to respect the workers’ choice. The educators voted by 87% to join Chicago ACTS.
AFT President Randi Weingarten says the UNO election could be a “turning point” in the way charter school operators deal with teachers.
It is a signal that the anti-union atmosphere and climate we’ve seen in charters may be changing. It is also an example of another charter school operator recognizing that it can’t succeed without the voices of those who work most closely with students and can best advocate for what students need to succeed—things like smaller class sizes and a great curriculum.
Before the vote, UNO teachers sent a letter to parents—in both English and Spanish—outlining the reasons they were seeking to form a union.
- To give teachers a stronger, more unified voice in advocating for their students and their schools.
- To ensure that teachers have the support and security to focus on the students and our profession.
- To create a positive partnership between UNO and their teachers that is necessary to create an environment where the best teaching and the best learning can happen.
UNO eighth grade math and science teacher Jessica Hanzlik says having a union means:
We'll be able to advocate more strongly for our students, and we will have a greater ability to speak out for what we know works to improve teaching and learning.
Illinois Federation of Teachers/AFT President Dan Montgomery says, “The UNO effort is a great example of what can happen when teachers and management work together for what’s most important—the students.”
Teachers know firsthand what works in the classroom and how children learn best. Their ability to advocate for high-quality education with a collective voice will greatly benefit the students and our communities.
