Dear Colleagues,
Red CHTU T-Shirt pre-orders are still active this week. We have a women's cut, a long sleeve, and a regular unisex T-shirt. Order here for paypal (link), download the order form here (link) for cash/checks.
Save the date - March 1 after professional development for a TUSH at Boss Dog Brewery.
In trying to negotiate their first contract our brothers and sisters of the Summit Academy in Parma have been thwarted at every move. Their working conditions are substandard, promises to students and families go unmet, and staffing levels are so low that teachers are asked to do custodial and cleaning work. Most of the students in the school have special needs - this charter school serves a unique purpose, but even their most experienced teachers make less than a starting teacher in CHUH.
Today these teachers have begun their walk-out. They had no option left but to strike. Our local will donate to their strike fund and we ask for your support as well. Here are four things you can do to help:
1. Join them on the picket line at Summit Academy Parma, 5868 Stumph Rd in Parma from 7:30 am to 4 pm on Feb 19th & 20th. We want especially large crowds from 2-4 pm those days.
2. Follow them on social media and share the word with your friends. Find them at OFT Twitter, OFT Facebook, Cleveland ACTS Twitter & Cleveland ACTS Facebook.
3. Reach out to the Summit CEO and encourage him to agree to a fair contract. Customize the sample letter with your own experiences as an educator and union member. (link here)
4. Make a donation to the Solidarity Strike Fund through the Ohio Federation of Teachers online (link) or send cash or check made out to CHTU to deliver.
In Union,
Ari Klein
CHTU President